Origional founder member of St Mary's will be sadly missed

Pictured from left to right: Margaret Berry, Clarissa Kavanagh and Reverend Nick Gosswin celebrating 25 years of support for St Mary's Hospice.

It is with great sadness that we have to announce the death of one of the original founder members of St Mary’s and our dear friend, Margaret Berry. Margaret died suddenly at home on the 14^th January at the age of 81.

Back in 1984 Margaret, the Reverend Nick Gosswin, and Mrs Clarissa Kavanagh came up with the raw idea of a Hospice for the South Cumbria area and worked extremely hard to make their vision a reality.

Mr Gosswin said "We had a vision of a place of peace and tranquility and after a lot of heartache and headaches the Hospice was eventually opened (by Princess Diana) in 1990. It has since built a reputation as the centre of excellence where the treatment and care is unsurpassed."

Margaret worked tirelessly for the charity and after its establishment worked as a volunteer on reception for many years.

Her funeral was held at Thorncliffe Crematorium on Monday 25^th January.

She will be sadly missed by all who knew her.