Joy Neal lived her life to the absolute full – a nurse for most of her adult life; she was warm, caring, thoughtful and lived to help others. In the words of her daughter, she had so many wonderful qualities that most of us can only aspire to.
In late 2014, having lived with cancer for ten years, the time came for someone else to do the caring, and Joy was admitted to the Inpatient Unit at St Helena Hospice for respite care and symptom control. “It was a time that should have been scary and full of uncertainty, but from the moment we stepped through the door we were all made to feel at home; our fears we were taken away and mum instantly relaxed,” said Joy’s daughter, also called Joy.
“Having never visited the hospice before we really didn’t know what to expect, but we were met with the warmest of welcomes and an environment that was calm and friendly, where nothing was too much trouble. The responsibilities and worries that mum had about being at home were lifted from her shoulders and she was able to enjoy simple pleasures such as having a bath and her hair being washed and set – her hair was her ‘thing’ so this was particularly special.
“On our very first visit to Myland Hall before mum was admitted, we were greeted with the sight of a wall in reception clearly being prepared for something. Mum being mum was instantly intrigued and wanted to find out what was going on. She was told that the wall was going to be home to the Memory Tree – a hand carved tree with individual leaves that could be dedicated in memory of a loved one.
“My mum loved all aspects of wildlife and the countryside, so the thought of this tree really appealed to her love of nature. Over the course of her stay on the Inpatient Unit she watched as the tree was gradually put in place and saw how beautiful it was. “After a month’s stay, mum was able to go home, where, with the help and support of the Community Team; she was kept comfortable until she peacefully passed away a short time after.
“We now have a leaf on the Memory Tree dedicated to mum. For me the leaf is not associated with a memorial, it is more of a celebration of the time she spent at Myland Hall. It was such a positive experience for her and she loved the time she spent there so much, that the leaf represents that.
“Our leaf has now been on the tree for a couple of years and we renew it on a yearly basis. For me the donation not only feels like I am giving to St Helena, it also feels like I am giving my mum a present and that is an amazing feeling.”