Aughabrack family’s story of what the Foyle Hospice means to them

AS Foyle Hospice marks 40 years of serving the community, a local woman has described it as ‘a little piece of heaven on earth’ following the deaths of both her parents within 18 months of each other.

Grainne Maguire (née Blee) from Aughabrack shared her family’s story, paying tribute to the care and compassion shown by the hospice during her parents’ final journeys. “There is a peace, tranquility and serenity within Foyle Hospice that is indescribable,” said Grainne.

“This may seem like a strange comparison given the fact that the word hospice may cause one to think of sickness, pain, suffering or death. In reality, the staff are all like angels and the surroundings are incredibly beautiful.”

Grainne’s mother, Marie Blee (née Gilroy), became seriously ill in May 2019 following repeated bouts of pneumonia.

Soon after, the family received more devastating news – their father, James (Seamus), was diagnosed with aggressive cancer, despite showing no prior symptoms.

“This news came as a complete shock,” Grainne said. “Daddy showed no apparent symptoms that warranted investigation.”

Marie had been a maths teacher at Loreto Grammar School in Omagh, while James worked the family farm in Aughabrack, just outside Dunamanagh. They raised two children, Grainne and Michael.

With limited treatment options, James was referred to the hospice, though he passed away in Altnagelvin Hospital before he could fully benefit from its care.

It was a different experience for Marie, who later began attending Day Therapy at Foyle Hospice – a service that provides patients with social interaction, complementary therapies, and respite for families.

“She really looked forward to Sammy coming to collect her in the Foyle Hospice bus,” Grainne said.

“She would get her hair and nails done and be treated to reflexology. She enjoyed arts and crafts, socialising with the ladies in the group, and even a mystery tour to Donegal with ice cream on a rainy August day. These were all things that we could never have envisaged Mummy being able to do ever again.”

As Marie’s condition declined and care at home became more difficult, the hospice offered her a place as an inpatient. Grainne, who was juggling full-time care for her mother and parenting her grieving seven-year-old daughter, Aoibheann, described the move as a tremendous relief.

Marie spent 20 days at the hospice, during which time the family was given an apartment nearby to stay close.

“We were amazed at the care they gave, not just to Mummy but to us as a family,” Grainne recalled. “We had moments of tears and they cried with us, but there were also moments of laughter and lightheartedness. They became like family to us.”

Grainne spoke of how the hospice staff looked after Marie with extraordinary compassion. “They would kneel by her bed to talk to her and give her little kisses on her forehead. They ensured her spiritual needs were cared for too. The staff just knew what we needed before we even knew ourselves.”

She also recalled the moment her mother passed away with support from the hospice team.

“On the morning of the day that Mummy passed away, Dr Harkin described the dying process beautifully by explaining that Mummy was in the departure lounge waiting to catch her flight to Daddy but didn’t know what time the flight would arrive,” she said.

“When Mummy took a turn, my initial reaction was to run as I was scared, but Dr Harkin rubbed my back and told me that it wasn’t my time to run; it was the time to be with Mummy. She stayed with me until I felt comfortable and I will never forget that.”

Grainne said both of her parents were ‘extremely fortunate’ to have been cared for by the hospice..

“The Foyle Hospice will remain forever special to our family. It really is a little piece of heaven on earth,” she said.