Gena Montgomery was the heart of her family. She was warm, witty, and full of life.
Whether she was crafting handmade cards or tending to her beloved garden, everything she did was filled with love. She adored her flowers - though she had no patience for daisies, often paying her grandchildren to pull them out!
But more than anything, Gena cherished her family. She was a devoted wife to Hugh, a loving mother to her four children, and a doting grandmother and greatgrandmother.
But in 2018, Gena’s health took a turn. After bravely battling breast cancer, complications left her struggling with her lungs, and later, heart failure. As COVID-19 spread, she shielded at home to protect herself, but over time, her mobility declined.
“Hospice was nothing like we expected.”
At first, Gena didn’t want to leave home. It wasn’t about the Hospice itself - she just didn’t want to go anywhere.
“She stood at the bottom of the stairs and said, ‘Gail, my main concern is that we actually get her to Hospice,’” recalls her daughter, Gail.
By that Friday morning, Hospice had a room ready. An ambulance was on its way. “When she got to Hospice, by dinnertime she was giving out her orders,” Gail laughs. “She still had that fire in her.”
The family had been nervous about moving Gena, but the moment they stepped inside Hospice, their fears melted away.
“The difference between the hospital and Somerton House was night and day,” says Gail.
“In hospital, the nurses do their best, but they just don’t have the time. At Hospice, it was completely different.” Hospice didn’t just care for Gena - they cared for all of them.
“They made her smile – they made her laugh.”
The care Gena received wasn’t just about managing pain. The teammade sure she still found joy in the things she loved.
“She was having a bad day once, and then Nicola, the occupational therapist, came in with a massive tray filled with flowers. Mum got to make her own bouquet, and her smile just went from ear to ear,” says Gail.
“They knew exactly what would make her happy. She loved her garden, she loved her arts and crafts, and they made sure she got to keep doing those things.”
Even Christmas was special. “They had Santa and Snow White in herroom, she got a hand massage, a fresh haircut, even a tambourine to play along with the music! She had an Alexa in her room, and the nurses would come in for a wee dance with her every night.
She kept them all on their toes.” “She was never on her own.”
For 13 weeks, Gena’s family made Hospice their home. “Somebody stayed with her every night,” says Gail.
“At the start, Daddy was sleeping in a chair beside her, but Dr. Alan came in one day and said, “Are you sleeping in that chair?’ The next thing we knew, they’d brought in a proper bed.”
in and give Mummy a hug before they went off their shift, and they’d be back the next morning to check in on her – and on us.”
Hospice gave Gena and her family something beyond care - it gave them time. Time to sit together, laugh together, and make memories they will cherish forever.
Every family deserves the same kindness, dignity, and comfort that Gena and her loved ones received at Hospice.
But we can only continue to provide this specialist care with the support of people like you.
Your donation today could help ensure that another family facing the hardest days of their lives gets the care and compassion they need. Please take a moment to complete the enclosed donation form - every gift, no matter the size, makes a difference.
Make a donation today and help us continue to be there for more patients like Gena.
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