James and Maureen's Story

Husband and wife James and Maureen Price were cared for by St. Luke’s Hospice in September 2022. Their daughter Danielle shares their story:

"My parents, James and Maureen Price, lived a love story that could have been lifted straight from the pages of a novel. And in a way that now feels strangely beautiful, their stories ending like many do, a couple together until the end. What made that possible was the care and compassion of St. Luke’s Hospice.

"My Dad, Jim, was an engineer in the Royal Navy and a decorated Nuclear Test Veteran. He travelled the world and lived a life full of adventure before settling back in the UK. He had a big personality and was incredibly hardworking, working into his 80’s helping at my husband’s car wash and with office work in the family’s property maintenance business. I think if the truth be told he just loved talking.

"My Mum, Maureen, was born in Georgetown, in what was then British Guiana. She came to England in 1962 and stayed with her sister Lynette. One evening Lynette invited a couple of workmates to dinner, one of whom was my Dad, Jim, and just as in all the best romantic novels, it was love at first sight.

"They fell for each other quickly, even though life threw obstacles in their path - like Mum having to return to Guyana soon after they met. But they kept their love alive through letters and photos, and in April 1963, Mum returned to England to be with Dad. They married that September and spent the next 59 years together. They built a life in Westcliff and then in Laindon, Essex where they spent more than 50 years side by side. It was always the two of them - supporting, caring, and loving one another through everything.

"Then, out of the blue, Dad was diagnosed with cancer. In June 2022, Dad had been rushed to hospital after struggling to breathe. He was eventually discharged, and we didn’t hear from the Hospital. At first, we thought no news meant good news. But then came the call – Dad had cancer. There were no treatment options available. We were being referred to palliative care. Mum was devastated and I rushed home to be with them.

"I got a call from a nurse at St. Luke’s Hospice within hours of the news, and she arranged to visit the next day. She was so caring and positive in that moment, helping us understand what was happening. Her kindness and empathy gave us hope for the forthcoming months.

"I decided to care for Dad at home. He spent his time upstairs and every night, I’d bring Mum back upstairs to lay beside him. She would talk to him, hold his hand, stroke his head and just be with him.

"A couple of weeks later a nurse from the Hospice came to visit and Dad had really deteriorated. Both dad and I were determined for him to stay at home. As he got weaker, the Hospice arranged for a bed downstairs.

"One day, before heading home for the night, I noticed Mum was unusually sleepy. I thought she was just exhausted. But the next day I couldn’t wake her. She was rushed to hospital while I stayed by Dad’s side at home. He knew that something was wrong. He turned to me and said, 'she always said she’d go before me'.

"I wasn’t ready to think about losing them both and it was unbearably hard not to be able to be at both their sides. Then, my brave selfless Dad said, 'I think it’s time for me to go into the Hospice'.

"St. Luke’s Hospice arranged everything quickly and with so much kindness and empathy. He was settled into a room at the Basildon Hospice and I met him there. Soon after, I got a call from the hospital - I needed to get to Mum. Her heart was failing, she was deteriorating, and she didn’t have long. I knew I was leaving dad with good and caring people. I rushed to the hospital while my husband Kevin stayed with Dad. It was devastating that I couldn’t be with them both. What I didn’t know was that the staff at St. Luke’s Hospice, aware of what was happening at the hospital, were already working behind the scenes to bring Mum to the Hospice.

"The very next day, they made it happen. Mum arrived at St. Luke's Hospice, the nurses took over and gently washed mum, brushed her hair, dressed her in her own nightgown and gave her back her dignity. When mum left the hospital, she had a pained expression but once in the hospice I felt she knew she was in a good place, the right place, she seemed to soften.

"For the first time in days, I saw her restored to herself. The Hospice moved heaven and earth to bring my parents together. They cleared out furniture to make space for both their beds beside each other. The two of them were reunited and laying side by side. When Dad saw Mum, even though he was confused and so very ill and weak, his face brightened up as he smiled and looked at her, held her hand and told her he loved her. Mum lay beside him, and it was like they had come home. The Hospice gave them that.

"Dad passed away peacefully on the morning of 2nd September 2022 with mum beside him. The next day mum followed him. Myself, Kevin, Liberty and Mason were with mum until she took her final breath. I truly believe she died of a broken heart, in every sense.

"The team at St. Luke’s Hospice were extraordinary. The nurses, the doctors, the volunteers - they cared for all of us. They brought us drinks, comforted us, talked to us, listened to us and sat with my parents whenever we needed a break. They were there in every way. I’ve had honest conversations with them, cried with them, even found unexpected moments of peace thanks to them. I would say they are literally angels.

"It may sound strange, but when my parents passed, I didn’t want to leave the Hospice. For the couple of days we were there, it was made to feel like home and gave us all some peace and comfort. My heart was hurting so much, I thought if I left the safety of the Hospice, it possibly would break just like Mums.

"I had spoken to my dad and always promised I would take him and mum back to their favourite place when the time was right. In September 2023, Kevin and I went to Barbados to scatter my parents’ ashes – it was their 60th wedding anniversary and a country they travelled to and loved so much.

"I didn’t appreciate what the Hospice did until we needed them. My mum would often donate to the Hospice when we passed collections, saying 'we never know when we’ll need them'. I’ve set up a tribute page for my parents and give when I can, especially around their birthdays and Christmas time. I drop in before Christmas and take the staff a few treats just to let them know we remember them and appreciate them. I know first-hand just how important their work is and that every donation will help them be there for other families, just like they have ours.

"In all the heartbreak, I find so much comfort from the fact my parents were together until the very end, and I will be forever grateful St. Luke’s Hospice made that happen. My parents loved each other very much and, in many ways, their end was almost a perfect conclusion to their life together.

- Danielle King, James and Maureen's daughter.

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