Penny's story: A legacy of kindness and care
Penny Howden was cared for at the end of her life by the Sue Ryder Palliative Care Hub South Oxfordshire. Before she died, she made the decision to leave a significant gift in her Will to the service. Through her gift, others will be able to experience the same kind of quality care she had, when they need it most.
Her family, including children Charles, Jo and Nic, shared her story with us, to highlight the importance of the Hospice at Home service.
Penny enjoyed playing golf, tennis, bridge, and loved adventure and discovering places. Working in the travel industry, Penny went all over the world, with China, Russia, Australia, and Jamaica among her most memorable trips.
Diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2020, when Penny later developed pain in her hip it was found the cancer had spread. Thankfully, the Sue Ryder Hospice at Home team, based in Wallingford, was on hand.
Penny's son Nic explains:
Mum’s last six months was a frightening time for all of us. Having the Sue Ryder team there halfway through meant so much and Mum made a specific point of leaving the money to Sue Ryder so that care could continue for others.
I know Mum really appreciated that we were able to be there for her in a more supportive role, leaving complex care to the experts.
There was always a member of the family staying with mum but having Sue Ryder nurses to talk to, to answer all those questions, was invaluable. We were so grateful for that professional input, and I know Mum really appreciated that we were able to be there for her in a more supportive role, leaving complex care to the experts.
Typical of her generation, Mum was stoic. She was used to helping rather than being helped and hated to complain about anything. Despite our best efforts Mum shunned painkillers until she was fully engaged with Sue Ryder, a relationship which fostered big measures of understanding and appreciation on both sides.
The Sue Ryder team were an invaluable asset, making challenging days more bearable with compassion and commitment.
The Sue Ryder team were an invaluable asset, making challenging days more bearable with compassion and commitment. There were a couple of nights towards the end where she had someone from Sue Ryder to stay overnight too, which we really appreciated.
Mum thought the Sue Ryder team were brilliant. Elaine and Melanie provided exceptional care and the significant donation Mum left Sue Ryder’s South Oxfordshire Palliative Care Hub reflects how much she valued them.
Mum would be so happy to know that money gives the people who did so much for her the capacity to provide the same level of care for other people.
Mum would be so happy to know that money gives the people who did so much for her the capacity to provide the same level of care for other people. I know that’s the way she would have seen it, particularly as the hospice care sector has to rely on fundraising and donations.
Our heartfelt thanks to Sue Ryder.
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