Daughter’s emotional tribute to hospice

THE daughter of a Fermanagh woman has paid an emotional tribute to the hospice that cared for her parents, who died 18 months apart.
Maire Blee (née Gilroy) was originally from Ballycassidy, and was a maths teacher at Loreto Grammar School in Omagh. Her Tyrone husband James worked the family farm in Aughabrack, just outside Dunamanagh. They raised two children, Grainne and Michael.
In a double blow to the family, Marie fell seriously ill in May 2019, and soon after James (Seamus) was diagnosed with aggressive cancer. James was referred to the Foyle Hospice, however sadly died before fully benefiting from its care.
It was a different experience for Marie, who later began attending day therapy at Foyle Hospice – a service that provides patients with social interaction, complementary therapies, and respite for families.
Her daughter Grainne has now spoken of the impact the hospice, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary, had on Marie and their family.
“There is a peace, tranquility and serenity within Foyle Hospice that is indescribable,” said Grainne.
“This may seem like a strange comparison given the fact that the word hospice may cause one to think of sickness, pain, suffering or death. In reality, the staff are all like angels and the surroundings are incredibly beautiful.”
Grainne said her mother always looked forward to getting collected by the Foyle Hospice bus, and she greatly enjoyed the activities, treatments and day trips.
As Marie’s condition declined and care at home became more difficult, the hospice offered her a place as an inpatient. Grainne, who was juggling full-time care for her mother and parenting her grieving 7-year-old daughter, Aoibheann, described the move as a tremendous relief.
Marie spent 20 days at the hospice, during which time the family was given an apartment nearby to stay close.
“We were amazed at the care they gave, not just to Mummy but to us as a family,” Grainne recalled.
“We had moments of tears and they cried with us, but there were also moments of laughter and lightheartedness. They became like family to us.”
Grainne spoke of how the hospice staff looked after Marie with extraordinary compassion. “They would kneel by her bed to talk to her and give her little kisses on her forehead. They ensured her spiritual needs were cared for too. The staff just knew what we needed before we even knew ourselves.”
She also recalled the moment her mother passed away with support from the hospice team. “On the morning of the day that Mummy passed away, Dr Harkin described the dying process beautifully by explaining that Mummy was in the departure lounge waiting to catch her flight to Daddy but didn’t know what time the flight would arrive,” she said. “When Mummy took a turn, my initial reaction was to run as I was scared, but Dr Harkin rubbed my back and told me that it wasn’t my time to run; it was the time to be with Mummy. She stayed with me until I felt comfortable and I will never forget that.”
Grainne also credited the Healing Hearts Bereavement Counselling Team at the hospice, who helped her and her husband Ciaran support their daughter through another immense loss. Aoibheann was able to visit her grandmother three times before her passing in carefully supported moments.
“Both our parents were extremely fortunate to have been cared for by the Hospice,” Grainne concluded. “Daddy for a very short time, then Mummy for a much longer period. The Foyle Hospice will remain forever special to our family. It really is a little piece of heaven on earth.”