“He was a friend to everybody that he met. And he had such a big smile that would light up the room”
Stuart Hall was a devoted husband and proud dad, known for his big smile, mischievous sense of humour, love of cars and family life.
Stuart and his wife Sarah had just bought their first home together in Carrickfergus when their life changed dramatically.
In November 2016, Stuart experienced what doctors called a “focal seizure”, pins and needles in one arm, a strange taste and smell, and trouble speaking. In January, he was diagnosed with a grade four glioblastoma brain tumour, the most aggressive form.
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Two weeks after diagnosis, he went for an awake craniotomy and then a second one a week later. That was followed by chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Stuart had three-monthly scans, which stayed clear until April 2021, when the tumour returned and he had another surgery. In April 2022, almost exactly a year later, another tumour appeared – this time inoperable.
Stuart’s wife, Sarah, shared their family’s story, about how the Northern Ireland Hospice provided support during this incredibly challenging time.
“Stuart was a kind, caring man. He was a friend to everybody that he met. And he had such a big smile that would light up the room, he would do anything for anyone. He was a real practical joker, always bringing a smile to everyone’s face,” Sarah recalls.
“We have two children, Ethan who is 14, and Jessica who is 8. He enjoyed going to car shows and working on his cars, whether he was in work or outside of work. And as a family, we just loved doing anything with the children, going on holidays, going on forest walks, day trips to the farm or the zoo. We just enjoyed doing things as a family.
“Stuart was really the best dad in the world, I know everyone thinks that, but he was such a good dad. He was the fun parent – always laughing and joking and playing with the children.
“Those last six months were difficult because Stuart slowly declined without treatment. It got to the point where he lost his mobility, and he was starting to lose his speech as well. It was very difficult for Stuart; he was a very independent man. But Stuart was such a strong spirit. He was strong and determined and he fought to the very end.”
Hospice care entered their lives just a month before Stuart passed away. Stuart was admitted to the NI Hospice’s In-Patient Unit and cared for by its amazing team for nine days before he passed away in October 2022, aged 33.
Sarah explained: “We were quite against hospice care at first. We didn’t know much about it, to us he was being taken out of home and we wanted to keep him at home as long as possible. But almost the minute we stepped through the doors here at Hospice, it was like a massive weight lifted off our shoulders. Stuart looked so comfortable. He looked more at peace here. They were able to control his pain better than they ever could have at home.”
Sarah remembers how Hospice supported the whole family during Stuart’s nine days at Hospice: “The staff treated our children like they were VIPs. They provided pumpkins for them to carve because it was Halloween. The chef took Ethan away to bake banana bread, they took photographs and framed them. They had Play-Doh challenges with our children and encouraged them to decorate the room with their artwork!
“The children loved it so much that when Stuart did pass away, they didn’t want to leave. I didn’t even want to leave. I think that tells you a lot about Hospice – this was the worst time of our lives as a family, and we didn’t want to leave this place.
“Everybody cared for Stuart so well. But it wasn’t just Stuart. It was our whole family they cared for. I moved in with him, and the doctors, nurses, domestic staff, chefs, they all looked after us so well. They helped us make memories with Stuart as he was dying, allowing him to live while dying.”
Sarah says small acts of kindness left a lasting impression: “When the children were carving pumpkins, some of the staff stayed behind after their shift had ended so Jessica could join in after school. They brought games, toys, and Xboxes from the Children’s Hospice for them to use, they brought them in sweets so they could go trick or treating.
“My son was preparing for the transfer test that same month and they gave him space for quiet time. We were offered complementary therapy, not just for Stuart but for me and the children. The ukulele band was a really special moment – they came round the rooms in the evening and our family got to request songs for them to play.”
Stuart passed away in Hospice’s In-Patient Unit on October 26 2022 peacefully with his family by his side. For Sarah, Hospice gave something she could never have managed alone.
“I have a nursing background, so I’d like to think I would have coped at home. But in those last few weeks it was getting harder – the pain was harder to control. Hospice allowed me to be his wife, and a mum to my children. I could spend those last nine days just with Stuart, as a wife not as his carer. It gave us the chance to live with him, make memories, and not have the worry of his pain on our minds.
“It brought us happiness and lasting memories in those last nine days. The saddest of days were made bearable only by the kindness and compassion shown by the staff of the Hospice who we will be forever grateful and indebted to.”
Sarah shared her family’s story as the Northern Ireland Hospice looks forward to its moving annual remembrance service, Lights to Remember, and fundraising appeal next month.
Each December, the Hospice’s Christmas tree glows with twinkling lights – each one dedicated in memory of a loved one. Behind every light is a story of love, loss and legacy. Each dedication also helps fund the Hospice’s vital palliative care services, ensuring families across Northern Ireland receive compassion and comfort when they need it most.
This year’s Lights to Remember service will take place on Thursday, December 18 at 7pm at Dominican College, Fortwilliam, followed by a poignant candlelight procession to Somerton House, the Hospice’s Adult In-Patient Unit on Belfast’s Somerton Road.
At the heart of this year’s service is Sarah and her two children who together will light the first candle of remembrance in memory of Stuart.
To help Hospice continue to care for families like Stuart’s, or for more details about the poignant Lights to Remember service visit www.nihospice.org/lights.
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