Amy Hermon-Taylor
In memory of John Hermon-Taylor
Fundraising for King's College London
Story
There will be a Memorial Service to celebrate the life of my Dad, John Hermon-Taylor, on Friday, 3rd December 2021 at 12 noon, St. Mary's Church, 30 St. Mary's Road, Wimbledon, SW19 7BP. All are warmly welcome to attend (please RSVP to ellieht@btinternet.com if you would like to attend in person).
For those who would like to attend remotely, there is also a zoom link:
In lieu of flowers, myself, Ellie and Peter would greatly appreciate any donations in support of Dad's research legacy.
In loving memory of my dad, John Hermon-Taylor
16th Oct 1936 - 16th Oct 2021
My darling Dad died on the morning of Saturday 16th October, poignantly, the morning of his 85th birthday. I'm devastated that he's gone but also relieved that, after 12 long weeks in hospital, he’s no longer suffering and that I was able to be with him at the end; I stayed overnight by his bedside in St George's Hospital and was holding his hand as he drew his last breath at 08.20, just as this beautiful sunrise came up over the horizon. There is a reassuring symmetry about dying on your birthday somehow; a final milestone achieved, nothing left unfinished.
Dad dedicated his life to helping people with Crohn’s disease. It’s bittersweet that just as his life was drawing to a close, his life’s work was at last taking flight. But it’s a great comfort to me that, a few weeks ago, he was able to hear the news of the first patient with Crohn's disease receiving the vaccine he spent 25 years of his life developing and bringing to trial:
Dad loved life and he loved people
He lived by the mantra that kindness costs nothing and his compassion knew no bounds
He would talk to anybody and loved to hear others’ life stories; no-one was ever unworthy of his time or interest or generosity of spirit
He would make an adventure out of the everyday, with a conspiratorial ‘naughty schoolboy’ twinkle in his eye!
He was courageous; despite facing much opposition to his work over the years, he never stopped fighting for what he believed could change the lives of patients with Crohn’s disease
He never gave up
As a Daddy’s girl, I always knew my life would be a life of two halves; before and after.
Dad, I’m so very proud to have been your daughter
You taught me so many things but above all that kindness is a superpower so often underestimated
I love you and will miss you a lifetime
I will keep you in my heart for as long as I live
I hope your legacy will help millions of people the world over and if it does, I will make sure that your name is not forgotten.
With heartfelt thanks,
Amy