I’m very sad to announce that just before Christmas my mother Sue Capewell passed away suddenly and unexpectedly, though briefly and peacefully.

Her death comes at the end of having spent almost her entire adult life living with and fighting against Multiple Sclerosis, an illness that came to dominate her life, but not before achieving so much, and touching the lives of so many.

She trained as a nurse, and began her career at the prestigious Bart’s hospital in the City of London. Having later brought my sister and then me safely into the world, she returned to work in one of the noblest positions as a palliative care nurse, bringing aid and comfort to the bedside of those suffering terminal illness in the final days and hours of their lives. In her professional and private life she always put the well-being and happiness of others first.

We are still coming to terms with her sudden loss, and it feels impossible to contemplate that she is no longer here.

It brings immense comfort to know that, although her MS made more and more of an impact on her life as the years went on, more recently she had been receiving the levels of care she needed, and that she never lost her spark or sense of humour. Everyone we’ve heard from so far has commented that she always had something funny to say.

I am immensely proud of her – of her stoicism, of how she dedicated her life to caring for others, and to be able to say that so much of who I am today is thanks to her.

It will take a long time to come to terms with her loss, but I am taking great comfort in knowing she did not suffer at the end, and reminiscing with all the beautiful images and memories I have of her. I will have those forever.

Paul x