Coping with the death of one family member is devastating, however the Lewis family tragically faced a heart-breaking double loss when mum and dad were both diagnosed with terminal cancer within weeks of each other…and then died on the same day as each other months later.
A few years ago Richard (Dick) Lewis was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer. With treatment he managed to control it, but in June 2024 he noticed a lump under his arm and it was confirmed that his cancer had spread.
He was given until the end of the year to live but his illness progressed faster than anticipated.
Dick’s wife Mary had battled breast cancer nine years ago and beat it, but in June 2024 – the same month as Dick – she was diagnosed with aggressive ovarian cancer.
Months later, in August 2024, the family faced an awful situation as the health of the couple deteriorated, with Dick admitted to Strathcarron Hospice and Mary receiving end of life care in the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Glasgow.
Mary was due to be transferred to be with the love of her life in Strathcarron for their final days together, but sadly Dick passed away on 30 August at 8am. Mary died just four hours later in Glasgow leaving the family bereft.
A year after the double tragedy and in their memory, daughter in law Claire Grant has been inspired to fundraise for Strathcarron Hospice. Claire, who is the partner of the couple’s son Richard, completed a 35 mile fundraising sponsored walk around Loch Tay on the anniversary of the couple’s deaths on 30 August 2025.
Claire set off on her gruelling expedition at 4.30am walking around the perimeter of the loch, from Carie to Kenmore, to Ardeonaig and Killin, and then back to Carie.
Her challenge has raised over £2500 for the Hospice so far including Gift Aid, in memory of the couple who were well known in the area.
Claire said: “Dick and Mary were such a wonderful couple and are greatly missed. They just wanted to be together at the end. Unfortunately, Mary didn’t make it to Strathcarron where Dick was waiting for her.
“It really was tragic for our family to go through such a heart-breaking double diagnosis and then losing them both on the same day.
“It has been a really tough time but we couldn’t be more grateful for the exceptional care in which Dick received at Strathcarron. He really was at peace there. The staff at Strathcarron were a breath of fresh air. On one of our visits he had just had a foot massage, which he thoroughly enjoyed. Staff were compassionate and made Dick feel at ease and comfortable.”
Mary and Dick, who had been together since the early 70s, were recognisable faces around Killin. Both were members of Killin Golf Club, Killin Walking Group and owned and ran The Old Mill Restaurant and Killin Wee Bake Shop for a number of years before they retired. Dick was also an active part of Killin and District Volunteer car scheme.
Claire said: “My parents in law were very well known in our community and I would like to thank everyone for supporting my fundraising in their memory. When I planned the challenge I set a target of £500, so I am quite chuffed to have managed to get more than that!
“I have a few blisters from the walk but it really was such an amazing experience and the scenery was stunning. It was so peaceful. I had a lot of time with my own thoughts and got emotional at times thinking of Mary and Dick.”
If you would like to donate to Claire’s walk in memory of Mary and Dick click here: Donate – Mary and Dick | Strathcarron Hospice
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About Strathcarron Hospice
We support people across Forth Valley, Cumbernauld and Kilsyth living with a life limiting condition. We help to make every moment count for patients and their families, so that they can live well with their illness and make the most of the time they have, and when the time comes, to die well.
Strathcarron Hospice needs to raise around £19,452 a day to provide all their services, which are free to those who use them across our local communities.
As well as In- Patient and Hospice@Home care, our highly skilled multidisciplinary teams include Nursing teams, Patient and Family Support (social work), Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Pharmacist, Chaplains, Complementary Therapists, Consultants in Palliative Medicine and Specialty Doctors.
As a charity, Strathcarron Hospice is funded by the people we serve. They walk, run, cycle, jump, bake and go to many other amazing efforts to fundraise for their local Hospice.
Strathcarron simply cannot continue delivering our valuable services free of charge, without the ongoing support of our communities.
With only one third of our hospice funded by the Government, we are incredibly grateful to our generous supporters who make up the significant shortfall.
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