A Legacy of Love
When Fiona was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in April 2023, her daughter Katie was five months pregnant with her first child.
Fiona was, in Katie’s words, “the life and soul of the party”: a woman who always put her family first. Even after receiving news that doctors were “very concerned” and urging her to go for urgent scans, Fiona remained optimistic.
‘She was so positive, my sisters and I started to question if we were exaggerating how bad her diagnosis really was.’
In truth, the diagnosis was devastating. The cancer was spreading quickly. Chemotherapy was unsuccessful. Yet Fiona’s focus never shifted from her family, especially Katie, who was approaching the birth of her daughter.
‘She was determined to meet my baby. I realise now that was more for my sake than hers.’
In the final weeks, Fiona prepared for her granddaughter’s arrival by cooking meals for Katie’s freezer. She refused to let her pain show, even as it worsened. When baby Tara Fiona was born, she was brought to meet her Granny at home, where Fiona held her, stroked her tiny face, and softly whispered: “Hello, I’m your Granny.”
Just two hours later, Fiona was admitted to The Prince & Princess of Wales Hospice.
“At first, we hoped the hospice would just help manage her pain. My stepdad had done an incredible job caring for her at home, but her condition was changing so quickly.”
Fiona died 10 days later, on the 4th of August 2023.
Katie continues to grieve the loss of her mum while navigating new motherhood.
‘It breaks my heart that my daughter won’t know her granny. And that I don’t have my mum here to guide me as I become a mum myself.’
Still, Katie feels her mother’s influence every day.
“Mum taught me how to be strong in the face of adversity. How to be selfless. How to put your family’s needs before your own. I will always be grateful for that.”
A Special Place at the Hospice
Katie says the care her mum received at the hospice brought the family enormous comfort in the hardest of times.
‘The care my mum received at the hospice was nothing short of incredible. They looked after her with so much kindness and compassion, and I’ll always be grateful for the way they treated her with such dignity.’
She especially remembers the moment when a doctor gently told her mum she wouldn’t be able to leave the hospice, due to how much her pain had increased.
“Even though it was devastating, the doctor’s gentleness, empathy and respect showed just how special the people there are. Every single member of the team, from the cleaners and volunteers to the nurses and doctors, played a part in how well my mum was cared for. I’ll never forget it.”
A Legacy of Strength and Kindness
Fiona’s story is one of unwavering love: of a mother determined to hold on just long enough to meet her grandchild, and a daughter who carries her spirit forward.
Her story also reminds us of the importance of compassionate end-of-life care, and the difference it can make not only for the person receiving it, but for the whole family.
A Lasting Legacy
You can help ensure future families receive the same compassionate care by leaving a gift in your Will: a legacy of love that lasts beyond a lifetime.
