Peter, Betty and Ken's story

“Aunt Betty and Uncle Ken met in the early 1950s, when they were still teenagers. They lived in Tadcaster and were blissfully married for 69 years. They were inseparable.

“In 2023 Ken was diagnosed with stomach cancer and, once it was clear that there could be no cure, his doctor recommended going into St Leonard’s Hospice. He was so comfortable there. My family and I visited him regularly and found the Hospice to be such a calm and comfortable place.

“Ken had his own room, with a balcony looking out over the fi elds beyond. We’d often find him sitting out there with Betty or chatting to the nurses, who always had time to sit and talk to both of them. One time we found Ken sat in the sunshine on the balcony, laughing and chatting away to two nurses, drinking a can of beer! It’s a wonderful memory to have.

“Ken was at St Leonard’s for a good few weeks and we thought his condition had stabilised. Then there was a sudden dip in his health and the nursing team gave him the care he needed to slip away peacefully.

“After Ken died, Betty was heartbroken. We all pulled together to support her and make sure she had plenty of visitors, but she couldn’t be without Ken. She passed away, peacefully, just a few months later.

“We found out Betty had changed her Will after Ken’s death. She made sure that all her family were looked after first, but she added a gift to the Hospice to make sure that other people could get the same care and support that was so important to her and our uncle.

“For Betty, leaving a gift to St Leonard’s was absolutely the right and appropriate thing to do. We know she would have been so thrilled to have her story told, encouraging people to follow her lead (and seeing her and her beloved Ken’s name in print!).

“We would encourage everyone to consider supporting our local Hospice in this way, because we’ve seen how this charity provides a vital service; one we may all have to call on at some point.”