She’s in my heart, she’s in my soul: Volunteer Charlie Edwards remembers his wife Susan who was with us at the hospice.

We knew her as Sue, but Charlie always refers to his wife as Susan.

In 2019, Sue and Charlie, (pictured here on the left) accompanied a group from the hospice to the RHS Tatton Park Show. We’d been chosen to re-house that year’s BBC NorthWest Tonight Sunshine Garden which had been designed to celebrate the life of popular regional weather presenter, Dianne Oxberry, who had died earlier in the year from ovarian cancer.

Sue had been a patient of the hospice’s Wellbeing Centre from around 2016 when she was first diagnosed with her own breast cancer. Having established new friendships and enjoying the practical, as well as fun, aspects of attending hospice day services, Sue joined the hospice’s renowned patients’ Friday baking group.

Back then, Sue and Charlie were familiar faces around the hospice outpatients department. Charlie would come to pick up Sue, ready for their weekend jaunts and we’d hear all about their holidays to Malta and how Charlie was teaching himself to play the guitar so he could try and play as well as Sue could.

“Susan was naturally tuneful, but I couldn’t play, or hold, a note. I actually made a couple of guitars, but Sue was the one who could play them.”

There’s always a smile on Charlie’s face when talking about his beloved Susan although occasionally he will also get a little teary eyed with his memories.

“I also remember sitting in a Wellbeing group where family and friends had been asked to attend and they were welcoming some new patients. She said to the whole group, ‘Don’t ever be unhappy here, it’s a happy place.’ I felt so humble, it made me well up with pride.”

The day hospice staff and volunteers were invited to Tatton Park in 2019 there was a celebratory tea party and Sue had agreed to speak on the hospice’s behalf about how grateful we all were to receive the many elements of Dianne’s Sunshine Garden, including the outstanding purpose-built arbour which has pride of place nowadays near the entrance to our hospice.

Charlie has his own name for it, and he smiles again,

“I call it the Love Shack. I remember Susan and I had sat in it at Tatton and met regional TV presenter Annabel Tiffin who was wonderful with us. I often sit there after finishing my volunteer shift and look over the hospice gardens which look beautiful. My thoughts are always about Susan and all the wonderful times we had together.”

After Sue passed away, at the hospice, in 2020, Charlie admits that he felt lost for a long time.

With support from the hospice bereavement team, through support coordinators, first Stella and then Sheila, and with the love of his daughter, Julie, and son-in-law. Rob, Charlie began to live each day as it comes.

Since Sue passed Charlie’s son-in-law, Rob, has taught him carp angling. They often go to Chester Lakes and for one week each year they have a special trip to Cretelakes, about 25km from Reims in France.

“The support of the hospice team and volunteering time at the hospice along with my special memories of Susan and the help of my daughter, Julie and her husband, Rob, are what keeps me going.”

Charlie’s now a volunteer here carrying out general duties on our inpatients ward, delivering drinks and cleaning up the breakfast plates from a busy morning shift.

The kitchen, domestic and nursing team, alongside fellow volunteer, another Sue, tell us that Charlie is a natural. His easy smile, quiet manners and life experience make him the perfect sounding board, always available for a friendly chat with our patients.

And so, in 2024, the Tatton Park connection came full circle when Annabel from BBC North West Tonight re-visited the hospice to record a piece on how the Dianne Oxberry Sunshine Garden was faring here after 5 years.

Once again, Charlie and Annabel sat together as he remembered Sue’s time at the hospice, RHS Tatton as one of the highlights and how the arbour , Love Shack, and the garden bring him many fond memories.

“I absolutely love coming here. I know it’s where Susan passed but it actually gives me great comfort. I feel close to her here.”

We’re so glad you do Charlie and we are so happy to have you as a valuable volunteer.

Thank you for everything you do for Wirral Hospice St John’s.

If you would like to volunteer for the hospice we’d love to hear from you. Please visit www.wirralhospice.org/volunteering for all the current opportunities and ways to get in touch.