Heather and Martins story

Heather’s Journey

“If someone had told me I’d get married at 78, I wouldn’t have believed them,” says Heather. A long-time volunteer for Keech Hospice, Heather never anticipated needing the hospice’s services herself. But when her husband, Mike, was diagnosed with cancer, Keech became her lifeline. They were there when Mike passed, and I’ll always remember seeing robins outside, which now remind me of him.”

After losing Mike, Heather attended Keech’s Bereavement Support Group. “We cried, we laughed, and we supported each other,” Heather recalls. It was there that she met Martin, who would change her life forever. “When he asked me out, I felt like a teenager again. Meeting someone who understood my pain was a blessing.”

Martin’s Journey

Martin’s story is filled with years of caregiving. His wife, Gerry, suffered from multiple sclerosis, and the burden of care was immense. “They helped me care for Gerry and even supported me through my own battle with bladder cancer.”

When Gerry passed away, Martin found comfort in the Bereavement Support Group, where he met Heather. “We became close, and one day, I invited her to Ashridge to photograph the bluebells,” he shares. “Heather literally fell at my feet on the stairs—quite the story to tell our future grandkids!”

A New Beginning

After years of friendship and shared experiences, Martin proposed to Heather on Valentine’s Day, 10 years after they met. “Heather asked if she needed to call a paramedic to get me up off my knee, but thankfully she said yes!” Martin jokes. On 1 September 2023, they celebrated their wedding surrounded by loved ones, asking for donations to Keech in lieu of gifts. “Keech brought us together, and we are forever grateful.”