“It was really special and meaningful when the Night Nurse came into the house in her navy jacket with a daffodil on it. We never knew supporting Daffodil day over the years that we’d ever be the ones needing the services our donations supported.”
The Lowery Family from Corr na Móna, Co. Galway saw firsthand the difference that care from an Irish Cancer Society Night Nurse made to their brother and uncle Mairtín Lowery, and his family in his final hours, after being diagnosed with cancer in early 2025.
At the beginning of 2025, Mairtín was diagnosed with cancer and straight away in University Hospital Galway, the staff set about making a care plan for him.
“In the hospital, they said we were talking about months to a year,” says Grainne. “My uncle lived on his own and the doctor said that wouldn’t work for him anymore, he would need care when he left hospital.
“My parents were only delighted to offer Uncle Mairtín a place in their home, which was where Mairtín was born. He was happy to stay with them when he was discharged, it meant he would get full-time care at home and still not be too far away from where he lived in Clonbur and family and friends nearby.”
On the 28th of March 2025, Mairtín left hospital with Grainne by his side. This also happened to be Daffodil Day, and Grainne decided to buy some daffodil pins.
“I forgot Daffodil Day was even happening that day,” says Grainne. “I only realised when I arrived at the hospital and saw the stand in the reception. So, I bought daffodil pins for myself and Mairtín, and he pinned the daffodil to his cardigan which he continued to wear over the following weeks.
“It was both heartwarming and upsetting to see the nurse coming in, wearing a navy jacket with the yellow daffodil on it.
“His condition got progressively worse in just a few weeks. The doctor told us there was no treatment that would work at his age – he’d turned 80 that January.”
When he was staying in Grainne’s parents’ home, Mairtín received help from his local hospice who advised the family that when they needed the Irish Cancer Society Night Nursing service, it would be readily available to them. This came has a great comfort and offered reassurance to Mairtín’s family.
“On Friday the 11th of April 2025 he took a turn for the worse,” recalls Grainne. “We were linked in with the Irish Cancer Society Night Nursing service, and a Night Nurse, called Rebecca, came that evening.
“It was both heartwarming and upsetting to see the nurse coming in, wearing a navy jacket with the yellow daffodil on it. Especially because we had bought daffodil pins on Daffodil Day over the years, without really thinking about it, just because we wanted to support the Irish Cancer Society.”
Mairtín’s Night Nurse gave kind and considerate care to Mairtín throughout the night, and she gave his family the opportunity to rest, and to step out of caring roles while she was there.
“Every time the Night Nurse did anything to my uncle, who was unconscious because he was so unwell, she spoke to him and would tell him what was happening,” says Grainne. “She’d tell him if she was going to move him slightly, or she’d tell him she was just going to wet his lips with some water. It was very special to see the level of care, respect and comfort she gave him.
“When a Night Nurse walks into your house, you realise you don’t have to be the carer anymore while they’re there."
“She had a genuine interest in him and as we sat by his bedside, she listened to us tell stories of our uncle/brother – she was beyond sweet and thoughtful. We all said that night it takes a special person to do this job, and we sure got a daffodil angel that night.
“When a Night Nurse walks into your house, you realise you don’t have to be the carer anymore while they’re there. That night, I was just Grainne, Mairtín’s niece, just spending time with my uncle, we all as a family got to be with him just as ourselves and got that special time, which we as a family will always be thankful for.
“The nurse was so focused on his care, that she took all of our worries away and we got to be his family for the night, and not his carers.”
The personalised care provided by the Night Nurse included helping to bathe and dress Mairtín, which brought enormous comfort to his family.
“My uncle was a very proud man,” says Grainne. “He took pride in his appearance and how he dressed. We mentioned to the Night Nurse, could wash him and put fresh pyjamas on him? And she did it and let us assist which was so special.
We did not realise that it would be our last time to ever give him that special personal touch, but nothing was a problem for the Night Nurse. She did it for him with such care and dignity.
“He passed away just before midday the following day. He passed in clean clothes and his hair was immaculate – these are things that were so important to him. He would’ve been so proud. He had a beautiful passing, and I think part of that was down to the Night Nurse who cared for him on his final night.”
Mairtín is remembered by his family, who kindly had a donation box at Mairtín’s funeral for the Irish Cancer Society and donated the funds in his memory, as a loving uncle, brother and friend.
He never shied away from showing love and affection to his family. Grainne describes her uncle as an intelligent and insightful man, who is fondly remembered by all who knew him.
"He appreciated all he had in life and never wanted for more."
“I remember a few hours after he was diagnosed, I asked him how he felt,” says Grainne. “He said he’d had a good life; he’d got longer than other people had, and what’s done is done, and what’s not will be left undone. He was very satisfied with what life had given him. He appreciated all he had in life and never wanted for more. A life lesson I believe he left as a gift to his family.”
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