When Irene Shelden was admitted to St Luke’s, her family didn’t know what to expect. But from the moment they arrived, her daughter Yvonne says they were met with something they will never forget: “It was like a massive hug around us all.”

Born and raised in Killamarsh, Irene was a devoted wife, mum, grandma and great-grandma, described by her family as a “wonderful person”. In 2024, she was diagnosed with a tumour in her oesophagus, just nine months after the death of her husband, Leslie.

As her condition worsened and she became unable to eat or drink, Irene was admitted to our In Patient Centre, where she died aged 89 in December 2024, surrounded by care, dignity and love.

Now, as we are marking our 55th anniversary, Yvonne feels the time is right to share her mum’s story and help others better understand what hospice care really means.

“Mum was cared for in St Luke’s for a week before she died,” says Yvonne. “I’ll never forget the relief the day I got the call from Dianne on Reception saying Mum had a bed and saying ‘you have nothing to worry about.’”

“From the minute we entered the building, we felt so incredibly well looked after. It was like a massive hug around us all, and you could instantly feel the love.”

“Mum’s wishes were always to go to St Luke’s, but we’d never experienced hospice care before so we didn’t know what to expect. We didn’t know if it was going to be depressing – and the word ‘hospice’ can sound frightening - but it was so far from that.”

“Mum couldn’t have received any better care. She was always spoken to like a person – not like somebody dying. Everything was explained to her and it was the little things – like being able to have pictures in her room of my dad, being able to wear her own pyjamas and the Catering team looking after us, even through the night.”

“Until the minute she took her last breath, the care was just outstanding. My mum died where she wanted to be, and I knew she wasn’t afraid. Her final days were full of dignity, compassion and surrounded by love and that’s thanks to St Luke’s.”

Irene and Leslie

Yvonne explains how it wasn’t just the care for her mum, but for the whole family too. Yvonne, along with her two children, were able to stay over every night – spending precious time together reminiscing.

“It was such a huge weight off us. St Luke’s gave me and my children that time to be a family again which is such a huge gift. I can never thank them enough.”

“Until you experience St Luke’s first-hand, you cannot begin to understand what a truly incredible place it is. It’s a place you never think you will need, but when you do, no amount of words or thank yous can ever be enough.”

Yvonne is motivated to share her story during our anniversary year, to ensure other families can receive the same care hers did, for the next 55 years, and beyond.

“It is absolutely paramount that people fully understand what hospice care means, and how vital it is that St Luke’s remains standing proud in Sheffield,” she continues.

“We’re all going to die at some point or another, but if you experience St Luke’s care – there’s no need to be frightened. It’s inevitable to be afraid of the unknown, but I know that mum was no longer afraid – she was at peace.

“I truly hope St Luke’s stands proud in Sheffield for the next 55 years beaming with love, pride, compassion, dignity, respect and everything hospice care stands for.”