The Wilson Family
Kelly Wilson was only 39 years old when she died in Foyle Hospice on New Year’s Eve, 2023, just two days before her 40th birthday. Her husband, Richard, described Kelly as a wonderful mother whose life centred around their two boys, Jake, 8, and Noah, 5. This year, Richard and the boys will participate in the Annual
Lights of Love ceremony on the 19th of December by switching on the Christmas tree lights.
Richard shared their experience at Foyle Hospice and the care that Kelly and the family received last Christmas.
He said: “I met Kelly when we both lived in Glasgow, and we later moved back to Derry, her hometown. We settled in and had our two boys, Jake, born in 2016, and Noah, born in 2019. Kelly loved being a mother; her days were spent working at Great James Street Health Centre and caring for the boys. She enjoyed playing board games and spending time with our family at her two favourite beaches, Culdaff and Stroove.
In the summer of 2023, she didn’t feel well and knew in her heart that something was seriously wrong. She was diagnosed with stage 4 Stomach Cancer and, by September, was being seen by the Foyle Hospice Community Nursing Team in our home.
There were big changes to our daily routine as she struggled to find things that she could eat and was in treatment. Thenurses continued to come to the house and support us, and by the end of November, we could see that Kelly was getting quite ill.”
“On November 27th, it was decided that Kelly would go into Foyle Hospice. Initially, we thought it would be a short stay and did not know what to expect. The staff were amazing with all of us and particularly good with the kids, who came to think of the hospice as a place to visit their mother, play, and get sweets. They still ask about going in to visit Andrena, who always had a treat for them!
Kelly was fortunate enough to move into the larger room, which accommodated our family and worked well when her mother, Marie, her sisters, the boys, and I stayed overnight. Someone could stay with her every night, and it became our home away from home.
During the day, her friends and family felt welcome and visited often. She even started a mini book club with the nurses, who all began reading the same books based on Kelly’s recommendations. Her room was often full of laughter with many visitors, and they even enjoyed a prosecco or two!
Along with the team in the inpatient unit, Kelly met with Michelle, the Healing Hearts Facilitator who works with families with children. They spoke about the importance of making memories, and Kelly loved the idea of creating Memory Bears for the boys.
She gave Michelle a pair of her pyjamas and a dressing gown, and the bears were made within two days. She picked the clothes herself, knowing they were soft and cuddly and the bears would be something they could cuddle and treasure. Kelly gave the bears to the children, telling them she had them specially made for the boys to bring home. She gave the bears as a gift to the boys, knowing they would mean so much more as they got older.
A bear was also made for Kelly’s mother. Its pocket holds a lovely handkerchief that Kelly gave her on our wedding day.
Throughout her stay, Kelly was conscious that Christmas was fast approaching. She did not want to dwell on her illness and the holidays had always been an important time for our family.”
Richard described the extremely special Santa visit that Foyle Hospice arranged specially for their children.
He continued: “Kelly loved Christmas and wanted to take the kids to see Santa, but she was not well enough. Foyle Hospice arranged to have Santa come to them. They were unsure if it would be possible to go ahead as Kelly had not been feeling well, but on the morning of the visit, Kelly rallied and was ready for the special visitor.
There was a knock at the door, and Kelly told the boys to go and see who it was. They were surprised and delighted when Santa came and spent over an hour with them. He brought gifts and sweets for them to enjoy. He, of course, knew all about the boys, their school, and their teachers, making it an extraordinary visit. We all made very special memories with Kelly and the boys that day.”
According to Richard, Kelly’s focus became getting home for Christmas morning, and with the help of the Foyle Hospice staff, her wish became a reality.
He said: “She arrived at the house before the boys came down the stairs on Christmas morning. They were so happy and surprised to see her that they ran straight to Kelly, ignoring the pile of presents under the tree that Santa had brought.
Kelly’s idea for a fundraising page was to focus, not on her illness, but on what we could do to help Foyle Hospice and ensure it is here for everyone who needs it. She was adamant that we tell her story so that patients and their families could benefit from Foyle Hospice. We watched the JustGiving page every day and were delighted with the donations that came in, supporting such a special place.
Last year, Kelly attended the Tree-Lighting Ceremony as a patient in the unit. The boys and I will light the tree this year in her memory. I know that Kelly would be happy that we continue to support the Hospice in her memory after everything they did for us.”
Foyle Hospice would like to thank Kelly’s family for sharing their experience at Foyle Hospice.