Family's fresh heartbreak as mum dies just months after son took his own life

Carol Malloy died suddenly in her sleep at the age of just 55 on April 26.

Her death is the second tragedy to hit her grief-stricken family, including son Dominic and long-term partner Colin Campbell, in the space of less than five months.

Ms Malloy’s son Ben died while working on an oil rig in Denmark on December 13 of last year.

An inquest concluded that the 25-year-old dad-of-two took his own life.

Ben, who lived in Snowberry Grove, South Shields, with partner Fay Sarson and their two young children, Faith and Marcus, had been due to return home on leave for Christmas just days after his death.

He was employed by Skilled International, in Aberdeen, and was carrying out work for global offshore drilling firm Ensco in Denmark at the time of his death.

Mum Carol, also from Snowberry Grove, was determined that the two funeral services held for her son would be a celebration of his life.

Ms Malloy said at the time: “It’s still a huge shock. You don’t think you will ever be that person going through this, receiving sympathy cards.

“But I have been bowled over by the care and support we have received.

“He was a devoted dad, a very kind-hearted son and a very hard worker who wanted to provide for his family.”

Scores of family, friends and well-wishers turned out in force to pay an emotional final farewell to Ben at St Michael’s Church before a humanist service was conducted at South Shields Crematorium.

They now face an agonising return to St Michael’s Church to pay final respects to Ms Malloy at her funeral service at 1.30pm next Tuesday.

Mr Campbell said the family did not wish to comment on her death at the present time.