Hundreds of people are set to gather at Plymouth Hoe as Smeaton’s Tower is illuminated in memory of Sarah Roch, a beloved mother and esteemed healthcare professional who “radiated light wherever she went.” Sarah, who recently passed away from cancer, leaves behind a grieving family and a community deeply touched by her kindness and dedication.

A mother of two, Sarah was a highly respected operating department practitioner specializing in emergency trauma at Derriford Hospital. Her funeral and wake, scheduled for Monday, February 24, are expected to draw a crowd of over 300 attendees, including numerous doctors and nurses who worked alongside her.

Following the wake, both Derriford Hospital and Smeaton’s Tower on Sarah’s beloved Hoe will be specially illuminated as a heartfelt tribute. “There will probably be hundreds of people on the Hoe,” said her mother-in-law, Marion Roch. “Sarah radiated positivity wherever she went. She was a wonderful person—you could never have an argument with her.”

Sarah was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2019, six years after first experiencing symptoms. Tragically, doctors failed to detect the cancer earlier, and in 2023, University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust admitted liability for misinterpreting her test results from 2013. By the time she was correctly diagnosed, the disease was terminal. Forced to leave her job, Sarah spent her final days undergoing chemotherapy before passing away at the age of 44.

Her case led to significant changes in diagnostic procedures at the hospital to prevent similar errors in the future. Sarah also became a public advocate for cervical cancer awareness, serving as the face of last year’s Cervical Screening Awareness Week. She encouraged women to be proactive about their health and seek second opinions if they had concerns.

“One of Sarah’s biggest impacts was pushing for protocol changes, ensuring this never happens to anyone else,” said Marion. “She never wanted to blame anyone—she just wanted things to be improved.”

Sarah and her husband, Justin, had been together for 30 years since meeting as teenagers. Married for 21 years, they built a life together with their two children, Isla (21) and Ewan (18). The family lived in Estover before relocating to Derriford, close to their workplaces. Justin, an associate scrub practitioner in cardiac surgery, has worked at the hospital for 27 years.

Originally aspiring to be a chef, Sarah later found her calling in healthcare, working as a dental assistant before training as a specialist in operating theatres. Alongside her medical career, she ran a beauty business in Crownhill, which she later continued from home after the pandemic forced her shop to close.

Sarah’s funeral will take place at 2:30 PM on Monday at The Park crematorium on Merafield Road, between Plympton and Plymstock. “We are all feeling anxious,” Marion shared. “It’s been heartbreaking—we just want to get through these next few days.”

Following the funeral, a wake will be held at The Corinthian on the Hoe. “Everyone is welcome to join us in celebrating Sarah’s life,” Marion added. “Then, we will walk up to Smeaton’s Tower to raise a glass to our beautiful girl, who loved life and the Hoe.”

Donations collected at the funeral and wake will support a cervical cancer research program led by consultant gynecologist oncologist Mr. Desmond Barton at London’s Royal Marsden Hospital. “Mr. Barton’s efforts gave Sarah a few more precious years with us,” Marion said.