It became clear that she was unlikely to recover and so with the help of our local GP we managed to get her transferred to our cottage hospital just over the road from me. It's a wonderful place and we were very happy to have her so close by. My step-father, Ed, has been in the same hospital for some weeks and so it was good that he was able to see Mum whenever he wanted. We were able to visit as much as we liked and my brother Dan, sister Sally and her two children, Kelly & Sam, spent as much time as possible with her talking, singing songs and making sure she was comfortable. It is time we will always cherish and are very grateful for.
As we feared she didn't recover and my lovely mum passed away on Saturday 15th January. Even though she had been in the nursing home for almost four years and we knew she couldn't withstand another chest problem it was and is a heartbreaking and shocking time. I thought I was prepared but I wasn't.
She was a fantastic mum and a great person; we will always be very proud of her and of the work she did for Oxfam. We got a lovely letter from head office after mum had passed away saying what an inspiration she had been and how she had touched the hearts of all the people she worked with during the 20+ years that she managed the local Oxfam shop. Oxfam was always the cause dearest to her heart.
Throughout her life she was fiercely proud of her Irish and Roman Catholic roots. She was a regular member of the congregation of St. Lawrence’s RC church for many years and it was of great comfort to us all having a service in celebration of her life at the church where we all attended mass every Sunday.
I can't believe she has gone and I miss her very much but I know for certain that she is with the angels.
RIP
Kathleen Elizabeth Belcher nee O'Farrell
25th March 1933 - 15th January 2011
