Complex sentence: Shortly after the death of her father in December 1831, who she was very close to, Sharples came across "The Republican" magazine, which led to her losing her faith and starting a correspondence with its editor, Richard Carlile.
Split into simpler sentences: Shortly after the death of her father, to whom she was very close, in December 1831, Sharples came across "The Republican" magazine. As a result, she lost her faith and started a correspondence with its editor, Richard Carlile.