Mother’s Meningitis Trust tribute to brave daughter Eve

Seasoned consultants could not believe she had worked while a vicious strain of meningitis strengthened its grip on her body.

But the brave 28-year-old kept up appearances so as not to let down customers at the hair and beauty business she ran with Clare Beaumont.

Mother Jean Robertshaw said: “She put on a terrific act. For her customers, she was her usual, bubbly self.”

But Eve died in Dewsbury and District Hospital a week later – a day after the anniversary of her wedding to husband, Kieran.

Born in Batley, Eve went to Mirfield’s Castle Hall School, spent time as manager of Hair UK in Dewsbury and also worked at Halo in Mirfield.

Now, social worker Jean, 52, is spearheading a campaign to raise £5,000 for the Meningitis Trust in memory of Eve, who left two small children. The first event is a coffee morning on Friday March 4 at her Roberttown salon, Bliss.

It was December 9 when Eve, of Hightown, first complained of earache and headache. Feeling dizzy, she postponed appointments until the following day when she worked in spite of spiralling illness. “Neurologists were stunned,” said Jean. “They couldn’t believe she had worked in such a state.”

The following day Eve and Kieran were going to see the musical Oliver! in London for their anniversary. But Eve lapsed into unconsciousness. “She never came round again,” she said.

Doctors prepared the stunned family for the worst.

Eve’s funeral was on Christmas Eve – the day before Kieran’s 32nd birthday. More than 600 people packed into Roberttown Parish Church for the service.

She leaves daughter Phoebe, four, and Leo, 16 months.

“The nothingness now is hard to accept,” said Jean. “Eve was my little rock.”

Clare, 38, said: “She made a huge impact on my life. It is awful without her.”