We are heartbroken that Marie died on Saturday 6th August, only aged 39, after a 10 month battle with pancreatic cancer. She leaves behind her loving husband John Bennett and the kindest and most beautiful daughter Ruby (4).

We’ve chosen to raise funds for St Wilfrid’s Hospice who cared for her at the beginning and end of her illness.  The hospice relies on donations for 85% of its funding to provide end of life care.

During the initial month of her diagnosis they provided round the clock pain management care which helped Marie to then lead what appeared like a normal life for many months whilst undergoing chemotherapy. Visits to Ullapool, Edinburgh, Gifford’s Circus, a private concert with Sophie Ellis Bextor and a helicopter ride over Hampshire & West Sussex were some of the incredible memories we’ll have to cherish.

St Wilfrid’s again stepped in with support  in July, and we cannot begin to imagine how we would have managed without their heartfelt care of our darling Marie. The importance of the hospice and its loving staff cannot be understated and it’s a place that we’ll always remember for the dignity and respect in which they gave to her and also ourselves.

The hospice will honour Marie through a silver leaf on their ‘Memory Tree’.  The Memory Tree serves as a reminder of people who have died at the hospice, and was used as a tool to help explain to Ruby about her mother’s illness and how she can be remembered.

Although her mum was very poorly there, Ruby has been drawn to the imagery of the Memory Tree and is already keen to return and see the silver leaf with her mother’s name engraved on it (in her design). She has also suggested picnics at the hospice, the place she described looking ‘just like a farmhouse’ on her first visit, when returning to view the tree.

For us, the hospice will always be a place of love, dignity and compassion.

All funds raised will go directly to St Wilfrid’s.

Thank you for your support,

Bennett & Garrity families

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