Sister of hospice's first female patient now honouring her memory as volunteer
Jill Potts was East Cheshire Hospice's first-ever female patient.
She died of cancer on her 31st birthday – March 21,1988 – just weeks after the hospice first opened its doors.
Today, her older sister Sue Cook honours her memory by helping out at the charity's shop in Congleton, which opened in December.
She said: "I wanted to give something back. I usually help on the shop till at least twice a week. It's satisfying and keeps me busy.
"With bereavement there's no set pattern. It was painful at times to think about Jill dying so young."
Sue spent 25 years with AstraZeneca, where she was a personal assistant, before leaving in 2004 to run an antique shop.
Jill also worked for AZ, travelling the world organising conferences.
Sadly, her cancer was aggressive and spread fast.
It was a ward manager at Macclesfield District General Hospital that told the family about the new hospice opening in town.
Sue said: "We were concerned about controlling her pain relief if we took her home. She was in the hospice for about two weeks and was the first female patient admitted.
"The staff were marvellous. The matron greeted us and promised that Jill wouldn't feel any pain and she didn't, which helped us.
"Our family, including my two brothers, were so impressed with the hospice and how they helped Jill and us. She was never alone. Mum spent all night in a reclining chair while I sat with her all day.
Reflecting on the day they lost Jill, Sue said: "On her birthday we all sang Happy Birthday and gave her cards. Jill died later that day.
"We were all devastated at Jill's loss. We're grateful that thousands of other patients have since benefited from the same love and care she received."
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