Pearl’s Story
Pearl has supported St Joseph’s Hospice for many years, after her mother-in-law was cared for by the Hospice in her final months. Read her story in her words, including why she has left a gift to the Hospice in her Will.
“Over 40 years ago, my mother-in-law, Debbie, was diagnosed with lung cancer and given 3 months to live. She was in her 60s. She lived with us initially, but as she grew weaker it was too hard for me, especially as I had a baby daughter, Julia, to look after too.
About a month before she died, she was transferred to St Joseph’s Hospice. The nurses looked after her so very well, and kept her pain at bay. She used to come home to my husband and I every weekend, and spent the whole time with Julia on her hip. If Julia fell over when trying to walk it became a race as to who would get to her first for kisses and cuddles. Eventually, I gave up competing as I knew I would have Julia for the rest of my life, but Debbie would only have her for a few weeks.
Those weekends prolonged her life, I’m sure, along with the wonderful nursing she received at St Joseph’s. The nurses were so good to her right up to the time when she passed. We are Jewish, but we can’t praise the nuns on the nursing team enough for how they looked after her. Eventually she succumbed to her illness, but not before we were able to get their to say our goodbyes.
She was truly a wonderful, kind and caring woman, and my one regret is that Julia was too young to have any memory of her.
I have left a gift in my Will to St Joseph’s Hospice, but I shall continue to donate in the future as I have done in the past. Thank you St Joseph’s Hospice for the special care that you give.” – Pearl
Debbie and Pearl, pictured at Pearl’s wedding
Like Pearl, will you consider leaving the legacy of compassionate care?
Leaving a gift in your Will means that we can continue to provide compassionate care, free of charge, to those who need it in our community. It helps us to plan ahead, and ensures we can keep providing our services to patients and families who need us.
We’ve partnered with Octopus Legacy to offer you the chance to write your Will for free online: we only ask that you consider leaving a gift of any size to St Joseph’s Hospice when you do so. Click the link to get started: Octopus Legacy
Or to find out more about leaving a gift in your Will to St Joseph’s Hospice, register for one of our regular Will-Writing Workshops or request a free Wills Information pack, click here.