Tributes paid to South London mum of two who tragically died of a sudden heart attack

On Saturday October 23, best friends June Omotola Adenike and Rachel Elijah were chatting on WhatsApp about what to wear to a party in a week’s time.

Sadly, that was the last time they spoke.

The next morning, Rachel woke up at 7.30am to multiple missed calls from her friends and, worried, she quickly rang them back to see what was wrong.

“What happened? What happened? What happened?” the 39-year-old said.

That’s when she got the devastating news that June, her friend of 13 years who she called a “big sis,” had tragically died of a sudden heart attack.

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Rachel rushed from her Sutton house to Thamesmead, where June lived, where she was met with police and ambulances.

Now, she is paying tribute to June, who was only 51-years-old.

The pair met at a church and both sang in a choir together, which is a testament to June’s love of music and sociable nature.

Rachel said of her friend: “She was a very lovely person, very easy going, very jovial, very friendly. Great with kids,” adding that June would often take sweets to church for her son.

June was part of a choir and loved to sing

She was also very “empathetic” and had a job as a care worker.

But there was one stand out quality that June had, according to Rachel – her ability to make people laugh.

When MyLondon asked how Rachel hoped June would be remembered, she said: “the way she made us laugh.”

“There’s no way you’ll be around her that you’re not going to laugh,” she added.

Most of June’s family, including her two adult sons, live in Nigeria.

Now, Rachel is trying to raise funds for her funeral, to give her a beautiful send off.

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Rachel has written a tribute on the GoFundMe page: “She was a loving mother, daughter, sister and a wonderful friend.

“The love received by the family has been immersed [sic] but we all know funeral costs [are] expensive, that is why I am imploring you to give generously to give her a befitting funeral.

“Any donation will make a huge difference to the family and every penny will be forever grateful for. Thank you for your help.”

Over £2,500 has been raised already.

You can donate to the GoFundMe here.

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https://www.mylondon.news/news/tributes-paid-greenwich-mum-two-22049709

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