We all know a family that love Christmas, like REALLY love it! We’re talking huge trees, lights and decorations everywhere, festive music on repeat and a Christmas dinner to rival all dinners! The Christmas-loving family we know, are the Moody family – Mandy and Roy, their children Scarlet and Will, Mandy’s brother, Paul and sister-in-law, Lorraine.
The Moody Family
We had the privilege of caring for Mandy on our Inpatient Unit, before she died on December 12 2024. We’re honoured to have been able to grant Mandy and her family a final Christmas wish. One last Christmas together, with all the trimmings, albeit…early.
Mandy’s husband, Roy, shares his story of his last Christmas with his beloved wife, with a simple message ‘Support Saint Michael’s Hospice this Christmas.’
Roy describes Mandy as having an amazingly positive outlook on life and believes she defied the odds when it came to her cancer prognosis. Mandy was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2019, the disease returned in 2021 and again in 2023, where it progressed to leptomeningeal disease — a rare cancer affecting the brain lining.
In November 2024, Mandy’s health took a turn for the worse and after a short hospital stay, Mandy was referred to Saint Michael’s Hospice. The team worked quickly to manage Mandy’s symptoms and pain and Roy noted that his wife was noticeably more comfortable within days. With Mandy settled, Roy and family set their thoughts ahead to their favourite time of the year-Christmas.
Roy said; ‘The outstanding level of care is only part of what makes Saint Michael’s so remarkable. When we mentioned that we wanted to bring Christmas Day forward, they were more than happy to help!
‘As a family that loves Christmas and treasures the many memories we’ve created over the years, we leapt at the chance to decorate Mandy’s room. When the staff told us we could set up a tree and decorations (which they could even provide), we immediately got to work.
‘Within 48 hours, Christmas music was playing, the tree was up, the fireplace was decorated, Mandy’s bed was lit up with festive lights, and the ceiling sparkled with twinkling decorations that could rival any Christmas event on the Stray. Even the nurses were impressed!
‘Mandy, who is known for bringing “sparkle” into every room she enters, was certainly shining brightly after this transformation!’
The decorations in Mandy’s room were just the beginning of the Moody family’s Christmas at Crimple experience. With the tree taking pride of place, the Christmas music playing and presents on order on next day delivery, it was only fitting that a full Christmas dinner was to be rustled up by our wonderful hospice chef, Ian. Roy sends his apologies to the other Inpatient Unit patients who also received an impromptu November Christmas dinner!
‘When our Christmas Day arrived, every nurse entered our festive grotto with a cheerful “Happy Christmas!” The way everyone embraced the spirit of the day was nothing short of amazing and a true credit to the entire team at Saint Michael’s.
‘Our Christmas lunch was phenomenal. This wasn’t just a piece of turkey and a few carrots; the tables were decorated with crackers, gifts, and Prosecco. Mandy and our close family were treated to the most fantastic tomato and red pepper soup, followed by turkey, stuffing, roasted vegetables, potatoes, and Brussels sprouts, all finished off with Christmas pudding and brandy sauce.
‘No detail was overlooked. The fact that they provided this experience not just for Mandy, but for our whole family highlights how deeply they care for everyone during such difficult times.
‘The entire team went above and beyond to make our Christmas Day as special as it could possibly be. We opened presents, pulled crackers, laughed, and cried. Most importantly, we created cherished Christmas memories in a way only Saint Michael’s could make possible and for that we will be forever grateful.’
Mandy alongside Saint Michael’s Hospice team members
Roy has set up his own Just Giving page to fundraise in memory of Mandy, through his annual Christmas light show at his house, to support local hospice care. Roy’s page can be found here: Roy Moody is fundraising for Saint Michael’s Hospice
You can make a general donation to Saint Michael’s Hospice here: Donate | Saint Michael’s Hospice
