Remembering Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

September 9, 2022

We are deeply saddened by the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. We join the country in remembering the lifetime of service our monarch gave the United Kingdom and hold dear the memories of her visit to North London Hospice in November 1993 to mark the first anniversary of the opening of our Inpatient Unit at Finchley.

Memories of Queen Elizabeth II

Ginny Lewis, our Clinical Nurse Specialist met Her Majesty during the visit. She recalled: “We met in our day centre, and I was struck by how she gave everyone her time, including patients. It was a memorable moment.”

Peter Kraushar, past Chairman of North London Hospice, was a Trustee when Her Majesty came and recalls her visit. “What struck me most about the visit was the Queen’s care for all our patients. She spent nearly all her time with them, and you could see that she was particularly interested and visibly moved. Her Majesty had been to several hospices, but I believe North London Hospice was the first that she had visited.”

Peter Kraushar also fondly remembers a later visit from Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex. “Prince Edward, like his mother, spent nearly all his time at North London Hospice with our patients, ” he said. “At one point when his aide said that it was time to go, he refused, saying that it was more important for him to stay. Like our staff and volunteers, patient care was at the forefront of his mind, so he stayed much longer than planned.”

Our Patron Penny Gluckstein, played a significant role in raising the funds needed to build our Finchley site, and remembers the Queen’s visit well. “We were all divided into groups of specialism…I was with the fundraising group in the dining room. When Her Majesty came to speak to us, she turned to me and asked if it is easy to raise money for a hospice. I said it was perhaps easier than for some charities. She asked ‘why?’ and I quipped that it might be considered something of an insurance policy! 

“It was wonderful that she came and her visit felt very relaxed as she moved from group to group, learning about the work of the hospice. She also dedicated a specially commissioned stained glass window during her visit, which still hangs in the Room of Quiet to this day.”

Grief is personal 

Although many of us may not have met Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II personally, she has been at the heart of our culture for a long time. It is understandable that people may feel unsettled, or sad and emotional about her death, prompting many to pay their respects and share the experience with others.

The death of a public figure resonates with us all, reminding everyone of the fragility of life. It can also prompt vivid memories and feelings relating to our own personal experience of bereavement, recent, historical or anticipated. 

There are a range of things that you may choose to do. Some may find it helpful to attend one of the many public events taking place, sign books of condolence, or participate in moments of public silence to collectively reflect and show respect.

There is no right or wrong way to respond to grief, it is very personal to you. Our thoughts remain with The Queen’s family and friends during this difficult time.