WHEN Becky Williams lost her mum at the age of 19, she couldn’t imagine a greater loss.
A year later she met Joe Morgan and Becky was finally able to find happiness again – but it wasn’t to last.
Becky, 34, was left devastated when she lost Joe to terminal bowel cancer aged 30.
Despite experiencing stomach pains and unexplained weight loss, Joe – who was her fiancé at the time – was told by doctors he was “too young” for cancer.
However, after pushing for tests, the couple were heartbroken to discover it was stage four and Joe was placed on palliative care.
The pair brought their wedding forward a year – but Joe tragically passed away in November 2018 – a month before they were due to tie the knot.
A few years later, she found love again with Tom Williams, 33, a heating engineer, and the pair married in August 2022.
Becky was delighted when she fell pregnant with a little girl the following year.
But she was to be faced with yet another heartbreak.
During a difficult labour, their daughter, Mabel, suffered a traumatic brain injury and passed away at six days old in September 2023.
The mum-of-five is speaking out about her experience in the hopes of helping other people going through loss.
Becky, an office manager, from Swindon, Wiltshire, said: “I’ve been through more than most do in a lifetime.
“Losing the ‘big three’ – a parent, a partner, and a child – is unimaginable.
“I’ve battled deep levels of grief and I still do.
“But I want to show people I’m still here and they can keep going too.
“Finding love after loss is possible. There is still hope out there – don’t give up.”
Becky met Joe in 2011, when she already had her son, Harley, now 18, from a previous relationship.
The pair went on to have their daughter, Elise, seven, together, and she fell pregnant with their son, Arthur, now six, in 2017.
When Becky was seven months pregnant, she noticed Joe was losing weight and feeling unwell.
After pushing for tests, doctors discovered Joe had stage four bowel cancer in early 2018.
She says: “My whole world came crashing down.
“I had children, and was pregnant, and he was only 29 – you never expect this to happen.”
Becky underwent a C-section with their son, Arthur, in May 2018, and Joe was able to be there for the birth.
“We were due to marry in December, but he didn’t make it,” she says.
“But we had that special moment for the birth – that meant a lot to me that he could be there.”
Joe sadly passed away on 17 November 2018, and Becky began navigating life as a single mum.
A year later, in 2019, Becky began dating Tom who was a close friend that she’d known for years.
Where to seek grief support
Need professional help with grief?
- Child Bereavement UK Childbereavementuk.org
- Cruse Bereavement Cruse.org.uk
- Relate Relate.org.uk
- The Good Grief Trust Thegoodgrieftrust.org
- You can also always speak to your GP if you’re struggling.
You’re Not Alone
Check out these books, podcasts and apps that all expertly navigate grief…
- Griefcast: Cariad Lloyd interviews comedians on this award-winning podcast.
- The Madness Of Grief by Rev Richard Coles (£9.99, W&N): The Strictly fave writes movingly on losing his husband David to alcoholism.
- Terrible, Thanks For Asking: Podcast host Nora McInerny encourages non-celebs to share how they’re really feeling.
- Good Mourning by Sally Douglas and Imogen Carn (£14.99, Murdoch Books): A guide for people who’ve suffered sudden loss, like the authors who both lost their mums.
- Grief Works: Download this for daily meditations and expert tips.
- How To Grieve Like A Champ by Lianna Champ (£3.99, Red Door Press): A book for improving your relationship with death.
“Tom and I got together about a year after Joe passed,” Becky explains.
“We got engaged and then married in 2022 – it felt like my life was finally slotting into place.
“He hugged all my broken pieces together.
“I thought I’d found my happily ever.”
The following year, Becky and Tom found out they were expecting a baby together.
She had a “normal” pregnancy and was induced at full-term.
But during the birth, Becky suffered a uterine rupture – a life-threatening condition when the uterus tears during labour.
Their daughter, Mabel, suffered a traumatic brain injury and lack of oxygen and tragically died six days later in September 2023.
“Losing a child is indescribable,” Becky says.
“I kept thinking how nice it would have been to have my mum throughout this.
“Tom was an amazing support and we kept each other going.”
In 2024, Becky found out she was pregnant again.
While she admits she was apprehensive, their son, Hudson, arrived weighing 5lb 2oz, at Great Western Hospital in Swindon, Wiltshire, on January 19, 2025.
Sometimes it’s difficult to remain positive, after losing so much
Becky Williams
He arrived prematurely after doctors noticed his heart rate had dropped, and delivered him via C-section early to avoid the risk of another uterine rupture.
Becky says: “Mentally it’s been a very difficult time – but it’s nice to have him here, safe.
“Never truly believed it would happen.
“He’s the rainbow after the storm – he’s brought so much light back to our lives.
“There’s still a huge hole without Mabel, but he’s helping to heal our hearts.”
Becky started posting her journey through grief on social media.
She adds: “I started sharing my story on social media for personal use – to see how far I’d come.
“I was posting and inadvertently bringing myself back, and healing.
“I didn’t expect it to reach so many people.
“The support I’ve received has been phenomenal.
“My mum, Joe, Mabel – they’re talked about everyday.
“They’re always with me.
“Sometimes it’s difficult to remain positive, after losing so much.
“But I try to keep going for them, and the people around me.”
