'Tanya's life was all too short' - sorrowful tribute to much loved NI paramedic Tanya Hazley (44)

The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) has paid tribute to one of their most "strong and kind" paramedics, Tanya Hazley, who sadly passed away on Monday at the age of 44.
Tanya Hazley who passed away on Monday.Tanya Hazley who passed away on Monday.
Tanya Hazley who passed away on Monday.

Ms. Hazley passed away after a battle with cancer and in the hours leading up to her sad passing she was visited by her boss, colleague and friend, Mark Cochrane, Southern Area NIAS Manager.

"Tanya’s life was all too short - those who work in this profession will be familiar with that scenario - but it also allows us the privilege of being able to make a difference to the lives of others," said Mr. Cochrane.

Mr. Cochrane explained how Ms. Hazley had come to join the NIAS in 2008.

"Tanya joined the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service in December 2008 having worked for a number of years as a Staff Nurse at Craigavon Area Hospital.

"She was initially assigned to a Paramedic-in-Training post at Dungannon Station and, after qualifying as a Paramedic in April 2010, she remained in Dungannon, but could regularly be found working in other Stations across South Division and indeed, further afield.

"Tanya’s desire to help people was also evidenced in her private life, where she was an active volunteer with St John Ambulance," added Mr. Cochrane.

A keen animal lover, Mr. Cochrane lauded Ms. Hazley for the way in which she cared for animals.

"Her hobbies were wide and varied and reflected Tanya’s outgoing personality and passion for animals.

"Perhaps the best example of this was her involvement in the hobby of sled dog racing.

"Even during the early part of her illness, Tanya could be found participating in events across Ireland with her husky dogs which, along with her cats, were undoubtedly the love of her life.

"As her health deteriorated, her beloved dogs were rehomed, but Tanya’s love for her animals was such, that she has made provision for them to be cared for as they live out their life with a local rescue centre."

Mr. Cochrane went on to say how Ms. Hazley had battled with her health down the years but explained how she was always willing and able to help others in their time of need.

"Throughout her career, Tanya faced several challenges with both her physical and mental health.

"She was always very open around these issues and she used her experiences to help support others facing similar challenges.

"In August last year, during her recovery from a knee operation, she embarked upon her biggest struggle to date when she received a cancer diagnosis.

"In typical style, Tanya was very open and honest about the gravity of her situation, but faced the challenge with an extremely positive attitude.

"Despite many offers to provide her with transportation to and from appointments, she always declined, choosing instead to make her own way to Belfast and have her Dad come and drive her home.

"Her determination to return to the career she loved was always evident, right up to the past few days when she had reluctantly accepted that there was to be no improvement.

"After a short spell in hospital, she returned home last Thursday where she was looked after by her dad and a team of carers. It was important to Tanya that she was at home as she came to the end of her life."

Mr. Cochrane added: "I had visited Tanya just a few hours before she passed away.

"During that visit, her fun loving character was very clearly on display.

"She joked about the size of the antibiotic tablets she had been given, suggesting she wasn’t quite sure in which bodily orifice they were meant to be placed.

"At one point, her Dad remarked that Tanya had always had a great deal of respect for me - I looked at Tanya, we exchanged a knowing glance, and she laughed out loud!

"Tanya’s life was all too short - those who work in this profession will be familiar with that scenario - but it also allows us the privilege of being able to make a difference to the lives of others.

"Tanya spent her working life doing just that, whether through nursing, or in her role with the ambulance service.

"She was a strong, outspoken and kind individual who will be greatly missed, in particular by her colleagues at Dungannon Station, but also by all of us who had the privilege of being part of her journey through life."

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