Originally posted on 12-5-2025 on Lancashire Post by Sue Plunkett – Original Post link: https://www.lep.co.uk/news/people/we-want-to-raise-awareness-after-our-beautiful-daughter-died-of-brain-aneurysm-5431241
The devastated parents of a beauty therapist who died after suffering a brain aneurysm are urging others to check if they have a family history of the condition.
Katelyn Sturdy collapsed while working out in the gym with a friend. She was taken to the Royal Blackburn Hospital, but never regained consciousness after suffering from the undetected aneurysm.
Katelyn’s stepfather, Darryl Slack, said if they had known about the condition, medics could have monitored it. He explained: “We have since found out that other family members have the same condition, so everyone is being tested now. “The condition is rare, and it can be cured and treated if found before they burst. Doctors can also monitor to check if they are growing. If raising awareness helps to save one person’s life, that would mean something.”
Describing Katelyn, who was from Burnley, as someone who was “always full of life” and who cared passionately for her family and friends, her mum Andrea said: “Katelyn had a five-year plan in place, she knew which direction she wanted her life to go and she was working hard towards that.”
A former pupil at Ightenhill Primary and Shuttleworth College, Katelyn studied beauty therapy at Nelson and Colne College before going to work at Inside Spa in Leeds Road in Nelson. Covering all aspects of beauty, Katelyn, who had many friends, loved her job. Darryl said: “From being a little girl, she always used to enjoy trying out massage techniques on the family, she was destined to do the job she did.”
A keen sportswoman, Katelyn played football and was in the same team, Rosegrove Ladies, as her mum. She doted on her pet dachshund Dash, and another of Katelyn’s passions was dance. She displayed a real talent for it and was considering taking it up professionally before embarking on a career in beauty. Andrea said: “Katelyn was a beautiful young woman who always looked good, even first thing in the morning. She was so full of fun and energy and always had a smile on her face.” Katelyn, who was due to celebrate her 21st birthday this weekend, also leaves siblings Chloe (21), Jess (17), 13-year-old Ethan and Mason, who is nine.
Andrea and Darryl have thanked paramedics who took care of Katelyn and also staff at the Royal Blackburn. Darryl said: “We could not fault them for the care they gave to Katelyn and our family.” They have also thanked Katelyn’s colleagues at Inside Spa for their support.
