A mother devastated after her teenage son died has revealed how she found love while grieving – but her husband now tragically has only months to live.
When 18-year-old Charley passed away suddenly in 2014, mother-of-three Joanne Reeves of Burnham-On-Sea was inconsolable and struggled for a long time to see a way forward.
Four years after her son’s death, in 2018, the 48-year-old met now husband, Benjamin Reeves, 38 – who brought love and newfound joy into her life.
But in a tragic twist of fate, Ben, who was a plasterer, is diagnosed with a terminal brain tumor and has only ‘months’ to live.
“I’m absolutely devastated that I met the love of my life and now he’s going to be taken from me in a matter of months,” Joanne, a teacher, told NeedToKnow.Online.
Joanne Reeves, from Burnham-On-Sea, left devastated after her teenage son died, has revealed how she found love while grieving – but her husband now tragically has just months to live (Joanne and Benjamin pictured together)
When 18-year-old Charley passed away suddenly in 2014, mother-of-three Joanne Reeves of Burnham-On-Sea was inconsolable and struggled for a long time to see a way forward
The mother was devastated after her teenage son Charley passed away suddenly nearly a decade ago
Despite missing Charley every day, the future felt a little brighter for the grieving mother and her two living children, Daisy, 19, and Harry, 26.
The pair moved in together after just two weeks of dating and five years later, on Christmas Day 2020, Ben popped the question – and the couple tied the knot a year later at a registry office in Bristol.
Ben was originally diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2009, but doctors have been able to shrink the growing mass with surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Unfortunately, the tumor continued to grow and came back in 2015, with his case becoming terminal in January 2023.
Joanne said, “Apart from Ben mixing up his words a bit, you wouldn’t really know anything is wrong.
“The brain tumor was originally on the left side and has now moved to the right side.
“We have a palliative care team at our local hospice that is involved in everything and we are committed to enjoying the time he has left.
“I don’t think I’ve ever felt love like I did with Ben, he’s just amazing.
“The kids are devastated, they obviously lost their brother and saw how that affected me in a negative way with my mental health.
But in a tragic twist of fate, Ben, who was a plasterer, is diagnosed with a terminal brain tumor and has only ‘months’ to live.
‘Dan meeting Ben has of course completed our family, especially since he is great with them.
“They love him dearly and he has been like a father to them both and a best friend to Harry in particular.
“It’s going to be hard for all of us and we’re looking at counseling as a family to try and come to terms with what’s happening.”
To make the most of the time they still have together, Joanne and Ben recently renewed their wedding vows and celebrated their union with their friends and family.
He’s also determined to be there for their seven-week-old granddaughters’ first Christmas this year.
Ben said, “I’m going to die soon and it makes me sad, especially at night, because I lie there thinking about leaving my wife and children.”
When asked what was on his “bucket list,” Ben simply said, “To make my lovely wife happy.”
She revealed how her other children – Daisy and Harry – were left devastated by their brother’s death in 2014
She said: “It was traumatic and emotional to find out that Ben only had months to live.
“I couldn’t stop crying at first, I think it was because I couldn’t believe what was happening.
“When I met him I instantly fell in love with his smile, his personality and the way he was towards me was just so loving.
“I never thought I’d find happiness again after losing Charley and Ben is just the best person ever.
“The way he smiles at me, the way he treats me, the way he loves me, just everything.
“My heart will be destroyed again because I have just found happiness, but I am determined to be strong for the children and for my granddaughter because that is what Ben would want.
When a child’s mother first met him, she said she immediately fell in love with his smile, his personality and the way he was towards her.
She said she “never thought she’d find happiness again after losing Charley” and called her husband Ben “just the best person ever”
She said she’s “determined to be strong for the kids and for her granddaughter” because that’s what Ben would like
The mother said her heart was “destroyed” when she found “happiness” after her son’s death
Joanne’s best friend recently launched a JustGiving page to raise £1,000 to make memories with her husband and children
“I’m going to miss him so much, we do everything together and we’re best friends.
“It’s just absolutely devastating and I’m at a loss for words.”
Joanne’s best friend recently launched a JustGiving page to raise £1,000 to make memories with her husband and children.
The donations have surpassed the fundraising target, which currently stands at £3,615.
Joanne added: ‘Bucketlist is just to spend as much time together as possible, explore as many places as possible and of course we have to be careful because sometimes Ben gets tired.
“150 people came to see us renew our vows, it was amazing.
‘It was arranged by my best friend and my mother and we had a great day.
‘Benjamin has been a wonderful father to Harry and Daisy, they absolutely love him, as does Pixie-Rose, our granddaughter.
“He’s just a great, great person and he’s a fighter.”