This site is a tribute to Gra, who was born in Durban, South Africa on February 22, 1949. He is much loved and will always be remembered.

CELEBRATION

It was such a privilege to have been able to care for Grahame for the 10 months and more especially over the 6 weeks that he spent at the Hospice.

Even through this difficult time I will never forget the love that was received and given by Grahame. 

Gra loved his grandchildren as they loved him. When he could not respond any longer he would open his eyes and smile when we played the many voice messages received from them.

I cant thank my family and friends enough for your endless support and love. 

As for the Hospice, it is difficult to express how incredibly dedicated every person that works and volunteers there is. Their humble and selfless love and care will be remembered always.

C – Celebrity – did you know that Gra was one?.  Richard overheard one of the patients asking a Nurse if Gra was a celebrity as there are always so many visitors. Thank you for those visits! They were also noticed by the staff at the Hospice -  CONSISTENT  That was Gra.

E -Enemies – as far as I know he had none – he never had a bad word to say about anyone unless of course he was ragging Dave and Tony about the rugby and cricket         

L-lasting sense of humour, some examples (sorry to mention this Gra) , was a time when he started to wear ‘nappy pants’ and much to his horror.  I was watching TV one evening and he burst into the lounge with just the pants on and did a pirouette in the lounge A few days before Sunday he wanted a shower and rather than a nurse wanted Shannon to assist me. When I said that Shan would not want to do that he said “what the hell”  its ok. As we got his shirt off he did a strong man pose. Gra loved the shadows and in the last few days Shannon put some music on for him. He pretended to strum a guitar and was tapping his feet to the music even though he was not talking. His last shower involved him singing and humming as the nurses wheeled him back to bed and the male nurse asked “ is he always like this”? We had that question asked many a time.  Doctors said that his reputation preceded him when they visited. Shan asked one evening whether he thought he had a great wife and he answered “yes, a great wine drinker”. Say no more. 

E- “as above”

B-I am sure that everyone believes their loved one who has suffered is brave and I am sure that they are. All I can say is that throughout the 10 months not one word of complaint came from Gra. 

R-Real – there were no pretenses with Gra. What you saw was what you got.

A-Attitude – towards people, he was absolutely nonjudgmental (unless he was cursing the ref during rugby who was always biased if his team was losing).

T-Tenacity -his strength and amazing patience.

E- Eternal – Reassured that he was at peace with where his destination was. Thanks Gra for letting me know that you are OK as you promised.

THANK YOU TO OUR CHILDREN FOR ALWAYS CARING AND BEING THERE FOR GRA AND I CANNOT SAY HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU ALL AND KNOW THAT GRA DID TOO.

THANK YOU ALSO FOR MAKING ME A BETTER PERSON AND BEING THE ‘CONSTANT’ IN MY LIFE. I WILL ALWAYS LOVE AND APPRECIATE YOU.