Sharon Melehi, a well-respected professional florist and much-loved friend of New Covent Garden Flower Market sadly passed away in August, at the age of 65.

Sharon was a renowned floral stylist and artist who ran her business – Sharon Melehi Flowers – from her London base, specialising in weddings, corporate functions, and social events. A regular visitor to Nine Elms, Sharon would inspire her peers with her creativity, using her deep knowledge of classic, high-end floral artistry to bring her clients’ visions to reality.

Known for being very good friends with the late floral designer Kenneth Turner, Sharon was the principal teacher at London’s Kenneth Turner Flower School. Working extensively with Kenneth for many years, often for high-profile and royal clients, Sharon helped train generations of florists and was regarded as one of the world’s top florists herself.

“When I think of Sharon I picture a ray of sunshine with a very bubbly personality, always brightening up every day,” said Liz Marsh of Elizabeth Marsh Floral Design Ltd, whose studio is based at New Covent Garden Flower Market. “Sharon freelanced for me for a few years and then stated doing more events on her own,” said Liz, adding that weddings were her speciality. “She’d get to know the brides well and often stayed friends with them after the weddings. Sharon was one of the old-school florists and she’ll be greatly missed by everyone.”

Members of the floral design community have shared tributes honouring Sharon’s talent, kindness, and her dedication to teaching others the art of floristry. One student was Gabriella Lantero who trained under Sharon at the Flower School and later became a prominent florist specialising in Italian/English-style arranging.

“Anyone who worked with Sharon will know what an absolute powerhouse of energy, enthusiasm and talent she was,” said Christopher Hammond-Davis, the Creative Director at London event florist Woodbrown, who enjoyed a long relationship with Sharon. “I find it hard to use the past tense, because she is alive in all the hearts of those who knew her."

Christopher explained how Sharon was known especially for her bridal work, creating the most stunning wired bridal bouquets that looked as though they had been made effortlessly when, in fact, they had been made with such attention to detail and talent. “The talent for wired wedding work is unfortunately fading for our industry now,” said Christopher, “but Sharon was known to have been helicoptered from one international wedding to another, just to make the wedding bouquet. She truly was an international florist, traveling the world creating her floral masterpieces, such stunning work.”

Her energy and enthusiasm were always a driving force in a team of florists, the electricity she brought was infectious, inspiring any team she was working with to be the best they could be. “Her support was always invaluable and after a hard day’s work, she kept the morale going too, turning an after-work dinner in a restaurant in some foreign clime, into an event to remember,” said Christopher. “Always one for a dance, I remember her in a restaurant in the Dordogne asking the proprietor for music so we could all dance, but he only had classical waltzes. So, we were all up dancing a Viennese Waltz, others dining in the restaurant included.”

Sharon, always being a generous, kind and sharing person, made her an ideal and natural teacher, be it a personal workshop, lead teacher at the Kenneth Turner School of Floral Decorating, travelling the world with Kenneth Turner giving master classes, establishing the Kenneth Turner School in Tokyo, or helping a young new freelancer fresh to the business understand the workings of the floristry trade.

“Seeing Sharon amidst the sea of exquisite flowers in New Covent Garden Flower Market, always lifted your morning, knowing you would have a big hug and a chat and perhaps if time, a coffee,” said Christopher. “Everyone knew her vivacious side, but she was also so warm and nurturing, family being the centre of her world as she raised two beautiful daughters – Zahra and Yasmin – and Grandson Joseph. She leaves a void that can only be filled with our love, that we return, to her.”

On behalf of everyone here at New Covent Garden Flower Market who knew and loved Sharon, thank you for the kindness, friendship and the inspiration.

Rest in Peace Sharon.