Marie Cuthbert

Sadly my mother, Marie Cuthbert, passed away in hospital on Wednesday 18th September. She suffered a near fatal accident 6 years ago, when she had a heart attack while swimming in the sea in the Isle off Wight UK.

At that time she spent weeks on life support, and we were told by Doctors and consultants that she would not survive, and when the decision was made to turn off life support, she fought against all odds to prove every specialist wrong. We were also informed that although she was breathing for herself, that she'd never be able to walk, talk, feed herself or remember any of us, if she could even see again. Again she proved them wrong.

My mum never made a full recovery, her mobility was limited, her breathing was laboured and some memories had gone, but she was there and she remained with us.

We were fortunate enough to share 6 more years, 6 more Christmases and birthdays, and a million more times of laughter and smiles.

During that time, her immune system was susceptible to infection, her lungs, liver and kidney had all been damaged due to the time spent without oxygen until she was pulled from the sea, and so she had several returns to hospital.

Still she continued her life, loving and caring for, and laughing with her family and friends.

The final infection that struck was just too much for her to fight against, and with her family around her, she closed her eyes for the final time and is now at peace and out of her struggle cycle.

She is greatly missed and will always be present in our hearts, and her legacy of love and laughter in the face of adversity, lives on in each of us, with the bravery and courage she taught us to have.

This fund raiser is to help my dad, who was her husband for 51 years, her best friend throughout and her nurse and carer in those final years.

The sudden change now in life, comes at more than just an emotional cost. His heart is broken and if we were able just to assist a little in all the costs of funeral, service, and the impact of this huge loss in his life, it would help take some of the stress away that really shouldn't be added to his shoulders at this time.

Thank you to any one who donates, and if we do raise more than necessary, any extra will be donated to the rescue services who gifted us with those 6 extra years of a wonderful wife, mum, nana and great friend to so many