Family gives back to hospice after Marian’s wishes were met

A family has praised St Catherine’s Hospice for giving their beloved mum and wife the option to spend her final days at home, surrounded by her loved ones.

Marian Serridge was referred to St Catherine’s in September last year, and her husband Ronald, daughters Carol and Pamela and son Ronnie, were unsure what would happen next.

But Ronald, who was married to Marian for 62 years, explained: “She was 84 and felt that she wouldn’t benefit from any treatment, and we’d discussed our wishes for our final days when we were younger, so I knew she’d rather be at home.

“The doctor at St Catherine’s, Dr Becky, made those wishes possible. She had so much empathy, and was so warm and friendly.

“Dr Becky gave us options and really reassured us as a family. She spent some time with us and was a huge support. Marian said she’d never had a doctor like it; St Catherine’s is very special.”

The family, from Eccleston, visited the hospice in Lostock Hall to make a donation of more than £800 in Marian’s memory, as a way of thanking the staff for their support.

Dr Becky Curry, who is part of the hospice’s CNS team (Community Nurse Specialists), who visit people in their own homes, said: “I’m so humbled and pleased to hear that we managed to make a difference to Marian and her family at an incredibly important time.

“It always amazes me when people are so touched by the work of St Catherine’s that they want to give something back, because we’re just doing our jobs.

“But it’s incredible that Marian’s family want to support the charity, and we’re so grateful for this donation. Support like this enables us to continue providing specialist palliative and end-of-life care to local people at the hospice and in their own homes, now and in the future.”

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