A loving daughter, mum, partner, sister, aunt, friend and confidante, Tanya Balch had a generosity of spirit, wisdom and a kindness that made her unique. City Hospice provided Tanya with specialist palliative care, as well as counselling for her loved ones.
Often referred to as ‘the oracle of Splott’, former senior nurse for community services Tanya always knew the answer to the most difficult conundrums and how to get the best out of everyone around her.
Tanya’s partner of 27 years Sue said: “Tanya was incredibly special. Her presence in all of our lives has left ripples far beyond what she would have imagined. Someone still smiles at a memory she created, still feels comforted by a kindness she showed and still feels the courage in the words that she spoke.”
In September 2022, Tanya was sadly diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer. Despite surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, she developed metastases and was referred to City Hospice.
Tanya was cared for by one of the charity’s doctors and clinical nurse specialist Lyn and received advice and support from the charity’s welfare officer, while Sue was supported with pre- and post-bereavement counselling with Shamim which she has described as a lifeline.
Sue said: “Tanya’s diagnosis was devastating; she was the love of my life. However, Tanya was very stoic and pragmatic about her diagnosis and ultimately her death. She was a list writer in life and so too planned her death in the same way, organising her funeral and celebration of life party. Tanya died as she had lived: her way.
“The care we received from City Hospice, whether palliative care, welfare advice or counselling, was amazing and delivered with such compassion. They guided us through this difficult time with kindness and understanding. Tanya’s precious sons Ellis and Lloyd, her family and I are so grateful to the charity and all their support.”
To say thank you, the family raised £900 at Tanya’s celebration of life party and Sue has also raised thousands for the charity through donations from Glastonbury volunteers and hiking the Camino de Santiago. Now, they are sharing Tanya’s story in support of City Hospice’s Light up a Life appeal in the hope it will bring some comfort to others.
Sue said: “Tanya gave me lists and notes for everything. In my post-death instructions, I found a note from Tanya which said, ‘share your memories of me so I can exist when I no longer exist’, and Light up a Life feels like the perfect time to tell her story.
“I know I, her boys, her family and friends ask, ‘what would Tanya say’ all the time and it is through this story, our shared story, we are assured that she is never truly gone.”
A donation made during the Light up a Life appeal will make a world of difference to a family facing terminal illness in the community. To donate, visit https://www.cityhospice.org.uk/get-involved/light-up-a-life/ or call 02920 524 150.
