Couple tie the knot in hospital after shock diagnosis
A woman diagnosed with terminal cancer has married her partner of 40 years with a special ceremony in hospital.
Gail Ritchie ,57, married the love of her life, Peter Stubbs, at Sunderland Royal Hospital on Friday, May 21, after receiving the shock diagnosis that she had terminal lung cancer at the end of April.
The pair, from Farringdon, have spent four decades together after meeting in Sunderland pub The Dun Cow and made the decision to tie the knot following the devastating news.
Gail’s niece, Leigh Brown, said Gail had been receiving treatment for COPD when she was told that she had terminal lung cancer following aCT scan just three weeks ago.
Leigh, 52, who is a nurse herself, said: “It was a shock to us all and it has been really difficult.
"The Archbishop of Canterbury granted them a special licence to get married and
Rev David Tolhurs from St Matthews came down to marry them.
"The staff onward E 58 went above and beyond, it was just so nice that people went the extra mile for them.
"The room was beautiful and one for the staff even did Gail’s hair.”
Gail’s niece Leigh, was able to attend the wedding, along with Gail’s grandson Jack, 14, her sisters Ca role and Deborah, and brother-in-law Derek.
Gail is now unable to speak and has since returned home to pass away with her loved ones by her side.
Niece Leigh, from South Hetton, said: “Gail has a lot of friends in the city and is very well respected.
"I can’ t thank the staff at the hospital enough for what they did.”