Four women who lost their sister to cancer during the coronavirus pandemic have hailed the "incredible" support from the Foyle Hospice charity in Derry during her final days.
Sharon, Fidelis, Marie and Ursula are now taking part in Sunday's Foyle Hospice Female Walk/Run in memory of their sister Kay, who died from brain cancer.
Sharon McDermott said her sister, Kay Kennedy, was a mother-of-two who worked at Stanstead Airport but came back home to spend her final days in Derry.
Read more: Co Derry woman in tribute to mother-in-law who defied expectations after cancer diagnosis
The four women first took part in Foyle Hospice fundraising 30 years ago without knowing what lay ahead.
Sharon said: “My sister was living in England when she was diagnosed with cancer but moved back home as she wanted to pass away in Derry.
“She was a mother of two and worked for a Government Agency in Marketing Research at Stanstead Airport.
“She stayed with my sister and we nursed her until she began going downhill."
After being admitted to the Inpatient Unit last year, Kay spent the last 3 weeks of her life at Foyle Hospice.
Sharon praised the “incredible” support that her sister and the family received, adding: “They couldn’t do enough for her.
“In the beginning, it was a bit restricted, but a week and a half into her stay they lifted the Covid restrictions so we were very lucky we got to visit her a lot longer.”
“It was such a peaceful environment and it was the first time we experienced care of the Hospice as a family unit.”
Sharon described her sister Kay, as a “brave” and “fantastic spirited girl.”
She continued: “Nothing would phase her; she was such a great person.
“Whenever she found out that she was terminal, she requested that all of her brothers and sisters go away on holiday to Center Parcs.
“My sister’s final journey was made that bit easier and it’s all thanks to Foyle Hospice who do such tremendous work."
The female walk/run in aid of Foyle Hospice takes place on Sunday but participants can still sign up here.
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