Tributes have rolled in for 'one of Liverpool's finest' after the sudden death of a well-known member of the city's LGBTQ community
Charlene Kimberley O'Neill, 45, died at home in Kensington earlier this month.
Originally from Halewood, Charlene was described as a "godmother" to Liverpool's LGBTQ community in touching tributes from her friends.
Charlene moved to London in the 1990s, but later returned to Merseyside and in more recent years she worked in child protection and had only recently accepted a new job on Merseyside.
In the city she was known as a regular at Liverpool's Pride event and her death has left the LGBTQ+ community in mourning, with many who knew her paying tribute on social media.
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Perry Mellor said: "RIP Charlene you were a beautiful soul inside and out, it was a pleasure to have known you."
Annmarie Lavelle said: "So sad she will carry on her work from up above."
Rob Blu said: "RIP Charl not a bad bone in ya body, very rare these days."
Janet A Walker said: "Liverpool's lost one of its finest, I'd known you for over 25years, you'll be sorely missed.
Sue Molloy wrote: "R.I.P Charlene shine bright like a diamond, you will be sorely missed by everyone in work.xxx"
Friend Siobhan Fowden told the ECHO how Charlene was "a wonderfully strong person and character" who was "like a godmother" to the LGBTQ community.
In a touching tribute she said: "Charlene was my rock and I will miss her terribly. She was such a wonderfully strong person and character. A proud advocate for the city's LGBTQ community."
"She went through her own challenges in the past and was there for anyone who needed help with regards to their sexuality.
"She always said to me that she knew she belonged in a woman's body when she was just nine.
"She could certainly look after herself too.
"She was our rock.
"But I will also miss our nights out and grabbing the odd Chinese with her after a night at Superstar Boudoir. She was fun and a laugh.
"Charlene was a like a godmother in our community. "
Dane Nanji, also a friend, said: "Charlene was really there for younger members of the LGBTQ community who were going through a bad time.
"She had experienced a lot in her own life and was happy to provide helpful advice.
"People think it's all fine now but coming out is still a big deal for a lot of people.
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"But she also had a wicked sense of humour and was extremely quick-witted. I will miss her."
Friends organised a fundraiser at Dorothy's Showbar to help pay for her funeral, and a crowdfunding page has also been set up.
Charlene's death is being treated as non-suspicious and a file has been passed to Liverpool's coroner.
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