Kate Ward was Brenda’s personal specialist nurse from Trinity Hospice, she was her closest confidant and friend, she became her everything. Brenda had just turned 80 February 2012, she lived alone in her busy 5th floor London flat, she was disabled walking with sticks or driving around in her mobility scooter. Kate was there at the beginning of Brenda’s initial respites at the Hospice when her cancer started to get too much for her to cope with on her own, Kate looked out for Brenda’s every needs.

Brenda’s last admittance to Trinity was in April 2012 upon Kate’s instructions, Brenda really was not coping alone at home, battling the final effects of breast and secondary lung cancer, she was unable to drag the oxygen bottle from her living room to her bedroom anymore, she was dealing with the effects of chemo on top of her failing knees, her arthritic fingers, painful hips and everything else that was just too tediously domestic.

Brenda was admitted. She asked Kate ” Is this it?” this is a tough question to ask, and equally tough to answer, Kate was diplomatically honest every step of the way, Kate said it would be like falling asleep. Kate continued to emotionally guide Brenda forward which helped Brenda spiritually to get ready for her next and final stage.

Her room at Trinity was clean, fresh, bright, light and airy; she had a clear view of the quite sumptuous gardens outside, a far cry from her busy London flat that literally over looked Sloane Square tube station. Both day and night various forms of wildlife went by her window which she loved so much. At one poignant time on a warm clear evening when Brenda was between moments of lucidity, a beautiful fox looked in and tapped his nose on the window. That and many other special moments will stay with me for ever. When it finally became Brenda’s time, it really was as if she had just fallen asleep. Brenda had become my second yet primary mum. She looked out for me since I was a baby till this her dying day. I loved her dearly and miss her so much.

It is thanks to people like Kate and Trinity Hospice, that Brenda’s final transition to the heavens was a beautiful experience for her and for us all. This is why we are raising funding for Trinity, to say thank you for making the experience of Brenda's final months, weeks, days, hours, minutes a comfortable one, and for helping make her death a peaceful one.

Thank You to you all.

By Claire Hall

“Trinity Hospice supports people in different ways, individual to their needs: whether it’s by providing specialist nurses who can visit patients in the community or by introducing patients to a ‘buddy’ who can provide friendship during a pivotal time. Through a wide range of services, Trinity Hospice enables people to live every moment and this collection of short films explores just how important the hospice is, for patients, staff and volunteers alike”…. Trinity Hospice

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