Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Dea died in care of charity she loved
‘An absolute gem of a person and someone I am very proud to have come to know’
A much-loved Pilgrims Hospices volunteer said to be “an absolute gem” has died in the care of the charity she dedicated herself to for almost 25 years.
Dea Martindale was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in October 2020 and passed away suddenly last month, aged 79.
She is remembered with huge affection by both staff and the families she supported.
Dea, from Sturry, was a member of the reception team in Canterbury, but also sat with patients who had no family or visitors to comfort them.
She had been inspired to help the charity following the death of her husband, Ken, who was also cared for by the hospice.
Pilgrims Hospices services manager, Adrian Matthews, said: “Dea will forever stick in my memory as one of my trusted members of the team but I would hope as a friend as well.
“An absolute gem of a person and someone I am very proud to have come to know.”
Such was her dedication to patients and families that Dea received the Lord Mayor of Canterbury community service award in 2013 for her volunteer work at the hospices.
Her daughter Corrina Collins said: “Mum was extremely proud to be a volunteer. It was
an important part of her life and very much her priority in her retirement years.”
Over her 24 years of dedicated volunteering for the charity which provides end of life care, she was often seen on a Sunday afternoon and always during the festive season, helping wherever she could.
After her husband’s death, she became a regular member of the hospice reception team and also volunteered within the therapy centre, helping service users with crafting activities, lunches and plenty of cups of tea.
Dea was a keen fundraiser, supporting the team at events including summer and Christmas fairs.
She also collected and stored goods to sell, raising tens of thousands of pounds at boot fairs to help keep the charity’s valuable services running.
Corinna added: “Mum was an independent and strong lady and it was crushing to see her become poorly so quickly.
“My sister Nichola and I can’t thank the Hospice at Home team enough. They were absolutely amazing and not only with mum in her final few days, but a tower of strength for us too.
“Since her passing, it’s been lovely to hear the nurses speak so fondly of her and to know she was truly valued as a volunteer.”
Dea had discussed with her daughters a bucket list of things she wanted to achieve over the past year, which included ensuring her very last car boot sale took place.
Although she was unable to fulfil her list due to Covid restrictions and her rapidly failing health, the daughters plan to tick one off by taking a trip to the South Bank and sipping cocktails in her memory.
Her funeral will take place at Barham Crematorium at 3.20pm on Monday, September 27.