Juan, Amy and Zoe to switch on the lights for Light up a Life in memory of wife and mum, Helen.

Helen Parentini met her future husband, Juan, in the year 2000 when they both worked for the Carnival Cruise Line.

Juan, originally from Montevideo in Uruguay, and Helen, born and bred in Greasby, were truly an international couple. They were married a year after meeting and eventually made their home, via Chester and Great Sutton, here in Moreton.

Five years later, daughter Amy, now 17, was on the way and not so long after, Zoe, was born. They were a lovely everyday Wirral family.

Juan describes Helen as a beautiful, kind person, full of love and the most wonderful mum.

Helen became unwell in 2020 as everybody was coming to terms with the pandemic and, in September that year, she was diagnosed with stage four cancer.

Helen embarked on all the treatment possible but by 2022 she was referred to hospice consultant, Dr Joanne, and they all agreed that the next steps were to manage the pain and discomfort Helen was now feeling.

Juan, Amy and Zoe, alongside Helen’s good friends, Jo and Jackie, would visit Helen daily and saw that her pain had subsided, so much so that she was able to go home where she could have special lunches with her family.

The family told us that Helen felt so well looked after at the hospice and the full team of doctors, nurses, healthcare assistant’s, caterers, cleaners and volunteers, were just wonderful.

Sadly, on 18th September 2022, Helen passed away at the hospice with her family at her side.

Since that time Juan, Amy and Zoe have attended a hospice remembrance service, A Time to Remember, which supports people who have had family members at the hospice contextualise their feelings of grief and loss.

They are such a loving and supportive family and all the people at the hospice are so grateful that they have agreed to switch on our lights for Light up a Life on Sunday 10^th December. This will signal the annual commemorations when 10,000 lights shine out brilliantly from the trees and buildings surrounding the hospice in the evenings in the run up to and throughout Christmas Time.

Juan spoke on behalf of them all,

“It’s such a special honour to be asked to switch on the lights for Light up a Life. Helen was so grateful for the kindness and care she was given by the wonderful team at the hospice. Amy, Zoe and I will have Helen in our hearts forever and by switching on the lights we will send a message of love to everyone who will be remembering their precious loved ones too.”

Wirral Hospice St John’s Light up a Life lights switch-on service will take place in the hospice grounds on Sunday 10^th December. People will start arriving from around 4pm to browse fundraising stalls, have some tea, coffee, cake and other refreshments, to gather their personal thoughts, visit the books of honour and to find a position in readiness for the switch on service at 5.30pm.