A woman who married her partner of more than 40 years at Isabel Hospice is among the first to have her name inscribed on Isabel Hospice’s newly installed Memory Tree.
Jacqueline Sinclair passed away peacefully in her sleep the day after she wed her long-term partner Brian during a ceremony held in the Hospice’s lounge surrounded by 30 of the couple’s closest family and friends.
Her name is now inscribed on one of the 450 bronze, silver and gold leaves that feature upon the recently unveiled rowan tree as a lasting tribute to the much-missed wife, mother and grandmother. One of the new copper-toned robins has also been dedicated in Jacqueline’s memory.
Jacqueline’s daughters Tracey and Karen, along with Brian and their aunt Patricia, intend to renew the leaf every year on their mother’s birthday in honour of their beloved mum, who died in November 2019.
Tracey said: “Even though Mum’s gone, we still want to get her a present on her birthday, so the Memory Tree is our way of being able to do that for her as well as saying thank you to the Hospice for taking such good care of her in those final days.
“The compassion they showed, and the love they gave, was incredible. Nothing was too much trouble and her last few days were ones where she felt safe.”
Jacqueline, who had gastric cancer, spent five days in the In-Patient Unit after being transferred from her home in Broxbourne.
Tracey, who gave up her job to care for her Mum after her cancer diagnosis, said: “Towards the end, Mum deteriorated quite quickly and we were struggling to keep her pain under control.
“We had actually arranged the wedding for the Saturday before she came into the Hospice but it got to a point where her health had to come first.”
Isabel’s expert medical team were able to sort out Jacqueline’s medication to make her more comfortable and also supported the family as they made the arrangements for her and Brian to exchange vows.
“It was such a special day,” Tracey said. “On the morning, me and my sister came in early to do Mum’s makeup and I bought her a lovely outfit from M&S. She looked beautiful.”
But Tracey could sense her Mum was nearing the end, and sadly she died the following day. “I remember looking at her that day and thinking I don’t know how she is still with us,” she said. “She was hanging on for the wedding and once it was over I think she felt that she could go now.”
“Mum was such a strong woman, but she didn’t ever realise her strength,” she added. “She always put on a brave face and showed so much grace in such a turbulent time in her life, covering it all with a smile right until the bitter end.
“She was a blessing in all our lives and we miss her so much. We will always be thankful to the Hospice for the love and attention they gave her in those final days.”
Our new Memory Tree at the heart of our main Hospice building provides the opportunity for people to remember their loved ones in a very special way, while helping us to continue providing vital support to other families who need the specialist care we offer.
Isabel’s Acting Director of Clinical Services Andy Kilduff said: “Our Memory Tree is not only a beautiful tribute to those we have loved and lost, but has the potential to raise £110,000 for Isabel Hospice every single year. That is enough to cover the costs of our In-Patient Unit for a month, which is incredible.”
The installation of our new Memory Tree has kindly been funded by three local supporters and features a central dedication to the Hospice’s founder Isabel Last.
Three types of leaf, along with the beautiful copper robins, are available for dedications for a suggested donation to our charity. Each leaf remains on the tree for either one, two or three years, after which you can either renew it or take it home as a cherished keepsake.
For more information about making a dedication, email Lisa Tansley at lisa.tansley@isabelhospice.org.uk, or call 01707 382500 to speak to a member of our fundraising team.
