In celebration of Ann Hatswell. She is much loved and will always be remembered. Ann peacefully died at the Hospice she co-founded on Wednesday 4th November. 

Ann was one of the founders of St Luke's Hospice and many thousands of people have received the best care at the end of their lives because of her. She was a truly remarkable person and will be greatly missed by so many.

In her words: ‘Having visited a friend at St Joseph’s Hospice I began to realise there was a real need for a similar service in the Harrow and Brent area. I strongly believed the area needed a place where there were the equal objectives of caring for not only patients but also their families and carers where they could relax in a comfortable and happy environment. A place where there was warmth and empathy was incredibly important to me. 

I spoke to some fellow members of my church and together we formed a board of trustees  including John Corner who became Chairman. Together we raised funds to launch the hospice and the first site for hospice was Harrow View. John looked after the finances and was careful that the Hospice was always in good financial order. Originally it was just a day care service for Cancer patients. We had two Home Care nurses, one in Harrow and one in Brent as well as the nurses at the day centre including myself. We worked very closely with NHS Cancer specialist nurses who referred patients to St Luke’s. In the early days we were always learning more as we went along.

What is so special about St Luke’s is that it was and still is a community project – a mosaic bringing together people from all walks of life and different characters working together to make a truly special place. Everybody that works at St Luke’s has St Luke’s in their hearts and it is open to everybody.

I knew right from the start that part of care was the little things that can make all the difference. It warms my heart that the hospice has gone from strength to strength over the years. For me, the most important thing always was, and still is, that laughter is one of the best cures.’