As many of you will know, Gina passed away peacefully at home on Friday 3rd April 2020. As a family, we were all together at the end, partly because of the threat of Coronavirus, but mainly because it was her wish to be cared for at home by her beloved family, together with the  amazing help of the Rennie Grove Hospice at home team.

Gina was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in early 2009. It was a particularly bad year for the family with her husband Daniel struck down suddenly and hospitalised with severe acute pancreatitis. it was during his hospitalisation that she discovered the lump. So whilst mothering three children, worrying and visiting a sick husband, she also had to deal with the fear of what the lump may mean.

Daniel slowly recovered and Gina's worst fears were confirmed after various scans and biopsies. However, she bravely dealt with the news and under the expert management of her Consultant Oncologist, she began treatment.  

After the initial lumpectomy and chemotherapy regime, Gina got back to work part time as a Dental hygienist (much to the relief of her patients who were always commenting on what a great hygienist she was.) As a family things got back to relative normality, with the kids growing up and progressing well through the school and developing as young people.

In 2015 Gina started to suffer with some pains and found another lump. During this round of scans and consultations she received the devastating news that the cancer was back, this time it had metastasized and she was given a terminal prognosis. Given the spread of the cancer and the fact her brain was involved, we expected the worst. Gina however, went back in to battle. Her Oncologist threw everything at her in an effort to shrink the tumours and give us time. Undergoing more chemotherapy, radiotherapy and some of the new anti cancer immunotherapy drugs, Gina willingly received, all the while with very little protest or bad humour. It was just something she had to do.

It was at this stage that we were put in touch with the palliative care team at Rennie Grove and she also started to attend the Butterfly House day hospice. Both these organisations provide much needed support to the cancer and life limiting conditions community.

Over the following years, Gina continued to defy the odds. As a family we enjoyed holidays, exam successes at school, university for the older two children and a graduation she never expected to witness.

In January of this year Gina enjoyed seeing her 50th birthday in with family and friends and had set her next target as Amelia's graduation ceremony (that particular issue now taken care of by Covid 19) and her 25th Wedding Anniversary. Sadly those were not to be, as she succumbed very quickly after being so strong for so long. Her will to live was great and both her Consultant and nursing team commented that she was amazingly strong and was truly a fighter. She was unlike anything they'd seen before. 

We would like this Just Giving page to raise funds for Rennie Grove in her memory. No flowers at the funeral please, and whilst we cannot gather to drink to her memory just yet, rest assured we will be when circumstances allow. The family will also be making a donation to Butterfly House.

Rest In peace Gina. We will love you forever.