Heartbreak as parents die from same disease in same hospital bed weeks apart
Robert Quaife and Linda Christie said to be ‘soulmates’ by daughter (Image: Cover Images)
Three heartbroken sisters are grieving after losing both their mother and father to the same cancer within a few weeks of each other. Linda Christie, 63, died just over a month after her partner Robert Quaife, 67, died in the same hospital bed.
Robert was the father of Joanna Helder, who raised funds for her half-sisters Kelly, Charlie and Hayley. In addition to mourning the loss of both parents, they also faced the financial burden of holding two back-to-back funerals.
He said the couple had been “apparently fine” for most of the last year, but added: “Dad was feeling a little lethargic and tired in November but it was nothing major. He went to the doctors and was sent to hospital. There they found he had lung cancer and it had spread everywhere.”
“He passed away at home on December 5. His partner Linda had a doctor’s appointment that day with a bad cough.
“Tests later revealed he had stage four lung cancer and died on January 12. “This was absolutely devastating, we are all in complete shock.
Kelly, Charlie and Hayley are left devastated by the loss of their parents (Image: Cover Images)
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“As she lay in the hospital, my sister Kelly told Linda she knew the pair were soul mates, and Linda smiled. They were in the same bed in the same hospital where my father was taken; they were both diagnosed with the exact same cancer. My sisters are in shock right now and can’t even think about another funeral so soon.”
Joanna founded one GoFundMe appeal It’s for their sister, who lives in London and has already raised nearly £2,000 towards her £5,900 target.
She said: “I helped as much as I could with my father’s funeral by paying for the funeral and flowers on January 23. However, the total funeral cost was over £6,000. My sisters are currently having to find a similar amount for their mother. I will help where I can because she was a wonderful stepmother but it is proving difficult.”
Linda Christie was diagnosed with the same cancer as her husband shortly after her death (Image: Cover Images)
Joanna revealed that her own mother, Mary, suggested starting the fundraiser.
He explained: “My mother and father separated when I was a child but remained good friends. My mother was very saddened by her and Linda’s deaths; she was a wonderful stepmother to me.
“She said I should try to do something to help my sisters. The response has been great and I’m so grateful.
“My sisters are suffering from losing their parents in such a short time. We haven’t even begun to discuss my father’s funeral arrangements in detail yet; they can’t accept it.”
In the GoFundMe call, Joanna wrote: “Dad’s funeral expenses have been covered… but the financial cost of raising money to give Linda a beautiful send-off in such a short period of time… is not possible.
Shortly after Robert Quaife’s death, Linda Christie was diagnosed with cancer (Image: Cover Images)
“If you can help in any way, please donate to help relieve the pain and suffering of my sisters and the entire family and give Linda a beautiful burial. Linda was truly the most selfless person you will ever meet.”
“We would be so grateful for any help you can offer at this devastating time. From the bottom of our hearts.”
