39 tcf.org.uk My friend Francesca Spiteri, who died aged just 51, was a tenacious, talented, and generous individual who volunteered alongside me supporting bereaved parents in Brentwood. Francesca began volunteering for Our Grieving Hearts, a TCF support group in Essex, in 2018. Francesca lost her son, James, in the late 1990’s when he was 22 months old to a rare genetic disorder. She had never sought bereavement support and reinvested herself into raising her young family. On our first meeting Francesca shared with me her dream to create space in nature for others who had experienced a tragic loss. She presented me with drawings of statues, fountains and garden design ideas that she had been thinking about for a long time. Francesca’s son James - and my daughter Emily - both died at Great Ormond Street Hospital. Francesca had found solace in the hospital’s garden space and it had influenced her desire to create something just as special closer to home. Our Grieving Hearts was started in 2011 and has been supporting bereaved parents in Brentwood and surrounding areas following the loss of a much loved son or daughter. Francesca was excited to find free bereavement support one road from her house. An opportunity arose to become involved in a project with Essex Wildlife Trust, the renovation of an area of natural beauty ‘Butterfly Meadow’ in Shenfield. Francesca was the mastermind behind engaging volunteers to help with the colossal task of cutting back the grass, clearing the debris, re-building the willow arches and planting bee and butterfly friendly plants. Various local firms came on board on their team building days and the meadow began taking shape. When the lockdown struck, the meadow was now transformed into a safe, clean and enchanting space where people could exercise and relax enjoying the outdoors. Francesca was an almost permanent feature, organising the volunteers, providing refreshments, and telling everyone about the renovation project which was dedicated to raising awareness of the TCF group ‘Our Grieving Hearts’. Francesca was a kind and generous person who took great pride in her community and in herself and her own health and wellbeing. It was a massive shock to everyone who knew her when she died suddenly and unexpectedly following a cardiac arrest. Francesca was an organ donor and through her three total strangers have received life changing gifts of new vital organs. Francesca is survived by her children Dawn, Michael and Jessica and her grandchildren Sienna, Scarlet and Daniel. Remembering Francesca Spiteri Written by Bridget Holley, Volunteer Group Facilitator, Essex (L) Bridget Holley, (R) Francesca Spiteri TCF NEWS |IN MEMORIAM
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