Brave Telford woman dies just hours before cancer charity ball she had been planning
She had spent months organising a fundraising charity ball – and died on the morning it was due to take place.
Marion Groves wanted to raise thousands of pounds to help cancer charities after she was diagnosed with the lung disease mesothelioma.
She organised the event for the Holiday Inn in Telford on January 31.
But, on the morning of the event she slipped away at Severn Hospice.
Today her family spoke of the brave battle fought by Mrs Groves and their decision to go ahead with the ball as a tribute to her.
And they revealed that the 150 people who turned up to the ball have helped her fundraising total rise to more than £6,500.
Mrs Groves, aged 67 was diagnosed with mesothelioma in September.
Her daughter Mandy James, 41, from Shrewsbury, said: "We decided to go ahead with the ball because we knew that was something mum would have wanted. She knew she wouldn't be able to attend the ball as she was too ill, and we also had people coming from all over the country to support us.
"We couldn't let people down, plus it's all about raising money to help people who might need the same amazing support we have had," she said.
"The evening was a huge mix of emotions. We were so grateful for the support shown and the amount of money we raised, but it was very sad knowing mum had passed away that morning.
"We told everyone when they arrived at the door about the news and a lot of people were just shocked. They were expecting to see mum at the event, so that was quite tough, but as a family we got through it.
"We planned several events and outings but many were cancelled as mum was too ill to cope with them, her pace of life slowed, her medication increased as her pain intensified.
"Mum had a short stay in hospital before returning to the hospice on January 28, where she was much more settled and relaxed. She was also able to finalise a few things for the ball."
Since Marion was diagnosed, she, along with her two sons, grandmother and father, have managed to raise around £6,500 for MacMillan Support and Severn Hospice, as they helped and supported her throughout her treatment.
"The staff have been amazing, I cannot thank them enough for all their hard work and support during my mum's treatment. The nurses do not get enough credit for all the work they do," Mandy said.
"The openness and honesty of the whole team at Severn Hospice made life so much easier for us all, we were able to enjoy mum when we visited, and they took care of everything and allowed us to be a family.
"They even became part of our family, not intrusive but always there predicting our needs before we knew what they were. They looked after us just as well as they looked after mum.
"And I would say to anyone who is going through a similar experience to ask for help, because it is out there and it will make a huge difference.
"It's been really tough for us as a family but we are pulling together and talking to each other about it, which seems to be helping.
"We are still awaiting a death certificate, because mum's cancer was caused by asbestos she needs to have a post-mortem, which has meant funeral arrangements have taken a couple of weeks to put together."
Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that develops in tissue covering the lungs or the abdomen. It is believed that Marion's cancer was due to asbestos as she was never a smoker.
he family plan on continuing fundraising in her memory.
Mrs Groves leaves behind her 91-year-old mother, Lillian Lobb from Dawley, her husband Jim, 69, her daughter Mandy and two grandsons Ben Exton, 17 and Matty Exton, 14. Mandy said her mother was devoted to her grandsons and was very proud of them both.
For many years Marion was a consultant for Slimming World in the Telford area.
A Just Giving page has been set up by the family where people can donate money to MacMillan and Severn Hospice – www.justgiving.com/MrsMarionGroves
