Gail’s story: remembering Enid

Gail Osborn recently shared beautiful memories of her mum, Enid Dodsworth, whose positivity and zest for life shines through. Our team cared for Enid before her death from lung cancer in 2018.

“I can’t speak highly enough about Saint Michael’s. While caring for my mum, they were like a second family to me. With their support, I could be my mum’s daughter again rather than her carer. We could spend time having a laugh during my regular visits.

“Mum loved it there at Saint Michael’s Hospice. When she first saw where she’d be staying, she said ‘my golly, look at this room!’. During her stay, she really enjoyed all the delicious meals cooked by Colin, the chef at the time, even including scallops and glasses of wine. She had a great couple of months, even though she was unwell.

“Saint Michael’s is not depressing in the slightest- it was an enjoyable experience for me because everyone was so lovely, friendly and polite. I still enjoy visiting the grounds and the tree of life, where we have a special leaf to remember Mum.

“The nurses, cleaners and volunteers were all nice. I remember Jemma, one of the healthcare assistants, would sit with Mum and sing of an evening. And they were happy for me to call whenever I had any concerns at all.

“We could relax with the Saint Michael’s team because we knew she was getting such good care.

“Mum loved wildlife. She was a member of the RSPB and the donkey sanctuary. While staying at Saint Michael’s, we brought her binoculars over so she could watch the birds out the window. She also asked for her large oil painting of the woodlands, where she and my dad Colin used to walk together with their dog Holly, to be hung on the wall in her room. Mum particularly wanted the picture to be donated to Saint Michael’s after she died, and it is still on display in the Hospice.

“Mum was amazing to me. She was so positive about everything. When she was dying, she said to me: ‘I’m quite happy: I’ve met the man of my dreams, had two lovely children and have no regrets.

“She talked openly about her funeral and what would happen when she died which meant we could prepare everything just as she wished. It helped her to be able to speak to the team at Saint Michael’s about what would happen next.

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“Thankfully, the team always let me know whenever they were concerned about Mum’s condition which meant I could be there when she died, holding her hand.

“The chaplain, Kathy, who we had a good relationship with, did her funeral.

“After Mum died, I found myself having panic attacks which was put down to both my parents dying within a short space of one another, and my mum’s illness coming on so suddenly. I got back in touch with Saint Michael’s and they arranged for bereavement counselling with Just ‘B’, which is part of the same charity.

“Just ‘B’ definitely helped me by allowing me to talk about it all openly and thoroughly. Rather than only speaking to friends, it can be helpful to have someone a little more removed.

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“Since then, I’ve been keen to raise money for Saint Michael’s. I took part in a sponsored walk and have been to Light up a Life both at the Hospice and Ripon Cathedral.

“I was so pleased to hear my workplace, Bishopton Vets, has chosen to support Saint Michael’s this year. We have already raised over £3000!

“Everyone was at Saint Michael’s was really great and I’m delighted to continue supporting them.”