Pauline's Story

“Mum's old stories about working there became real within hours of her being admitted. We had complete peace of mind that she'd receive amazing care, 24 hours a day.”

As part of our Light Up A Life appeal, we’re sharing Pauline’s story with you – a very special lady who not only received care at Teesside Hospice, but who had previously been the one to provide this to patients and families.

Pauline worked at Teesside Hospice as a support nurse for 22 years, providing specialist support to thousands of people during that time. Then, when Pauline sadly received a cancer diagnosis in 2025, she knew there was only one place where she wanted to be cared for – here, her daughter Genna shares more about that care and how Teesside Hospice impacted the whole family.

“Mum was diagnosed with cancer in 2025, and she immediately wanted to be cared for at Teesside Hospice. It was mum's second home. She already knew about the incredible care her former colleagues gave to everyone who walked through the doors.

Mum's old stories about working there became real within hours of her being admitted. We had complete peace of mind that she'd receive amazing care, 24 hours a day.

We could visit whenever we wanted. That flexibility gave us everything we needed. For my dad, knowing he could come at any hour, it seems like such a small thing but it helps so much at a time like this.

Even the family dog, Lottie, came in to see her every single day – another small kindness that gave her strength.”

The whole family was touched by the hospice's care. Genna's son, Obi, was just ten months old when he was given a hand-knitted teddy bear during a visit to Teesside Hospice. They named him Rupert, and he still stays with Obi today, a constant, gentle reminder of his nanny and a legacy that lives on through one very special bear.

"We call the staff our 'Hospice Angels, and that's everyone from the cleaners to the doctors, reception to the nurses. Every single person gives you the warmest smile or hug, and the comfort you need at the hardest time."

And the care our team provides extends beyond the four walls of our hospice. We want to help our patients and their families create memorable moments, even during difficult times – for Pauline, Genna and the family, that was a trip to Pauline’s special place, Saltburn.

Our hospice team helped make it possible for Pauline’s husband to take her there one last time - a trip she loved, and one the family says simply wouldn't have happened without Teesside Hospice.

"Mum's motto was always 'don't take life too seriously, because life's serious enough. Her humour and her outlook helped us understand what was happening to her, and is how we remember her, especially at Christmas."

Christmas was Pauline's favourite time of year, from the decorations and presents to the family traditions. For example, Pauline and her husband have kept the same angel on top of the tree for forty years, looking tired, a little tacky, and once nearly thrown out, but the family knows now they could never let it go. It's a symbol of every Christmas they spent together.

"She loved it," Genna says. "The house turned into a grotto from the first Saturday of the month."

This Christmas, the family is doing everything they can to carry Pauline's traditions forward, in their own way, because that's what Christmas means to them now: creating new memories that Pauline would be proud of.

It's also a time the family comes together with the rest our Teesside Hospice community, dedicating a star to loved ones they've lost, including Pauline, and attending the Light Up a Life service as a way to remember and to give something back to the place that did everything possible to care for her.

“We have supported Light Up a Life as a family for many years, remembering all the loved ones we have lost. Last year was our first year without mum, and now this year will be no different.”

To join Genna and support Teesside Hospice in memory of your loved ones this Christmas, join our Light Up A Life campaign and make your dedication. Find out more at https://www.teessidehospice.org/events/light-up-a-life-2026/.