Karen was creative, determined, funny, and completely devoted to her family. Even during the hardest moments of her illness, she was still finding ways to create memories, bring people together, and make the most of every day.
Her husband, Paul has kindly shared Karen’s story to help raise awareness of the compassionate care and support provided to her by the Hospice.
Cherishing every moment
After Karen became ill, the family were supported both at home and at the Hospice. For Paul, one of the biggest gifts that support gave them was the chance to simply be together as a family.
“I could work from home while being in the living room with Karen,” Paul explains. “The support around us made it possible for us to still have those moments together.”
At Christmas, Karen was determined to enjoy every second. Although weak and using crutches, she insisted on walking to watch a local tractor parade with Paul, their sons, and her sister.
Christmas dinner became a team effort. Karen, once the family’s main cook, directed proceedings from her stool while Paul took on the cooking she had spent months teaching him.
“We had one of the most delicious Christmas dinners we’d had for years,”
Even the mishaps became treasured memories. During a game of charades, Karen attempted to act out Spider-Man, jumping into the air despite her weakness.
“In the end, we just laughed about it,” Paul says. “That became one of the funny memories.”
Making memories together
Despite everything they were facing, Karen remained determined to keep living life fully.
The family managed a short trip away to Exmoor and, in the final weeks of her life, Paul fulfilled a promise he had wanted to give Karen for years, an overnight stay at The Ritz.
“She was alive with enjoying things,” Paul says. “She ate more than me, drank more than me… she was just on amazing form.”
Karen also organised a huge gathering at the family home, welcoming around 70 friends and family for what became a celebration filled with love, laughter, and connection.
“She made goodie bags for people, stood up and gave a speech, and somehow found the energy to do it all,” Paul says.
Just days later, Karen became seriously ill again.
Finding peace at the Hospice
For Paul, the Hospice gave Karen something incredibly important in her final days: comfort, dignity, and peace.
Paul says the compassionate care Karen received made an enormous difference, not only to her, but to the whole family.
“We all reach the end of our life one day,” he says. “These places make such a big difference.”
Keeping Karen’s memory alive
Karen’s creativity and presence are still woven throughout the family home. Her paintings hang on the walls, her notebooks and sketches are carefully kept, and Paul and their sons continue sharing stories and memories together.
“We talk about her a lot,” Paul says. “We very much keep those memories alive.”
This summer, families just like Paul’s will come together at Summer Memories to remember the people they love, celebrate their lives, and reflect on the moments that matter most.
By supporting our Summer Memories Appeal, you can help more local families receive compassionate hospice care when they need it most.
Whether you dedicate a memory, attend the event, or make a donation, your support will help ensure nobody faces the end of life alone.