When Jean was diagnosed with cancer 12 months before she sadly passed away, the Hospice stepped in for her final weeks, giving the family precious memories, care and support.
“A Chinese on Christmas Eve at the Hospice meant so much to us”
Jean Green was cared for on our Inpatient Unit before she sadly passed away on 3rd January 2022, aged 67. With care and support from our dedicated team, Jean and her family were able to spend a precious final Christmas together, making memories that they will always treasure. Her husband Anthony shares her story…
“Jean and I met at work, in the Sterilisation Unit at The Royal Oldham Hospital where we both worked for over 25 years. Jean was a Supervisor in the department and it was a demanding role ensuring the cleanliness of the hospital theatres and checking the work of 30-40 employees.
Together we had four children; David, Daniel, Steven and Louise. David is a policeman and lives in Yorkshire, he has two children Evi and Alice. Daniel lives in Australia and our daughter Louise, who lives in Chadderton, has two boys, Alfie and Archie.
Jean was bubbly, clever and energetic. Her favourite hobby was going to the caravan we owned in Skipton. Jean loved shopping, especially in Skipton and Harrogate. She also enjoyed reading, baking and cooking. The family loved her ‘Rag Puddings’ and Jean would often invite her friends round for tea, cake and a good natter.
Jean was an animal lover and supported a dog’s charity. We had two dogs called Badger and Smokey who were in the family for many years.
The amazing Hospice staff arranged for us to have a Chinese meal on Christmas Eve, which meant a great deal to us both. Our family could not praise the staff enough, they were all absolutely fabulous.
Jean had been suffering for quite a while with her legs and later had an operation at Salford Royal Hospital. There, they discovered she had cancer, just 12 months before she passed away.
The Christie Hospital in Manchester treated Jean for her cancer. After eight months of treatment, she became very poorly and wasn’t eating properly. Jean was then admitted to Dr Kershaw’s to help stabilise her condition and manage her pain.
For two weeks, Dr Kershaw’s Hospice looked after Jean and she was feeling much better towards the end of her stay. Jean was very happy with the care she received at the Hospice, praising all the nursing staff and the doctors who had been supporting and looking after her.
Jean came home for a few months before she started feeling poorly again. She knew she was coming to the end of her life and spent her final two weeks at Dr Kershaw’s being looked after by the Clinical Team.
We spent Christmas at the Hospice and I was able to stay with Jean over the Christmas period. The amazing staff arranged for us to have a Chinese meal on Christmas Eve, which meant a great deal to us both. Our family could not praise the staff enough, they were all absolutely fabulous.”
A lasting impact
Jean died in the home-from-home environment of Dr Kershaw’s Inpatient Unit on 3rd January 2022, aged 67, surrounded by her family.
During their final Christmas together as a family, they were provided with the compassionate care and support they needed to spend their last precious moments together — something they will always be grateful for.
Jean’s family were so pleased with the care she received from Dr Kershaw’s that they in turn now support the Hospice.
As Jean and Anthony married in Greece, each year Anthony dedicates two roses as part of the Hospice’s Rose to Remember Appeal, planting one in the spot where they were married and keeping another beside him at home. Anthony has also taken part in the Hospice’s annual Golf Day. His family’s ongoing support will now help to ensure other families can receive the same care and support that Jean did, when they need it most.
🩷 Because every moment matters 🩷
As a family we were so pleased with the care that Jean received at Dr Kershaw’s and in turn we now support the Hospice.