Andrew Marshall-Aherne
Memorial to the life of Christine Marshall (22/07/1952 - 29/01/2021)
Fundraising for Southmead Hospital Charity
Story
Christine Ann Marshall (22/07/1952 - 29/01/2021)
Sadly after 18 days battling on a ventilator my mum (Christine Marshall) gave up her battle with covid-19 at 11:20 am on Friday 29th January 2021 with her family by her side. Mum was an absolute fighter and we know she did all she could to fight this deadly disease, but she couldn’t fight anymore. She passed away aged 68, settled, pain free and relaxed knowing that we were there with her, finally getting to hold her hand.
On behalf of my whole family, thank you for the love, care, compassion and best wishes shown to us all over recent weeks and for the amazing publicity through the BBC, ITV, Kingswood Voice and more, and for all the many donations for the Southmead Hospital Charity that I have been raising money and awareness for over these past few weeks.
On Friday 8th January 2021 Mum was emitted to Southmead Hospital Intensive Care unit critically ill with the severe effects of covid-19. In the space of a couple of days my Mum went from being fit and healthy 68 year old with no underlying medical issues, to a lady with absolutely no energy, unable to stand or move, a lady fighting for her every breath as her lungs become more and more inflamed and her temperature rose to 40oc. As many of you will know Mum was an incredibly strong minded, independent, proud lady who after 17 years of dedicating her work to being a headteacher continued to support schools as an independent school improvement advisor as well as being vice chair for a local primary school governing body right up until the 2020 Christmas holidays. This was until covid sadly struck her down after new year with secondary pneumonia. Not being able to visit her due to lockdown laws, and having gotten over covid myself, I pledged to run 10K everyday from the day mum went on in to ICU until she left intensive care and came home. Sadly mum didn't get to come home.
Mum was incredibly proud for her family, and absolutely doted on her two grandchildren, who absolutely doted on her back. Mum always looked immaculate, her outfits, her hair and nails were always perfect even if popping out to the shops. And right up until Christmas 2020 mum dedicated her professional carer to the education of Primary students, a carer she held in some form, from teacher to Headteacher to School Improvement Advisor, for over 40 years. Mum touched the lives of so many people in her lifetime and we are all so incredibly proud to have been a part of her amazing life.
We are all utterly heartbroken and miss her so so much everyday, but from the bottom of our hearts we can’t thank everyone enough, especially the absolutely amazing NHS heros who have cared for my mum.
The staff in Southmead Hospital HDU and ITU were so very caring, supportive, loving and dedicated to offering first class care to my mum 24/7, regardless of their endless and extreme pressures.
As a memorial to Mum's life we will continue to collect donations for the Southmead Hospital Charity until shortly after Mum's 'Celebration of life' on 22nd February 2021. All money raised, both from my 10K runs and the additional donations as part of the celebration of life, is to go to the wellbeing and mental health care for the staff at Southmead Hospital.
We are, and will always be, eternally grateful to everyone at Southmead Hospital, particularly the staff of ICU, for the care given to Mum.
Mum, you have done us all proud, we will miss you so much every day never forgetting your smile, your pride and your words of wisdom, and we will love you forever. But now it’s time for you to rest. Sweet dreams mum❤️xxx