A North Yorkshire hospice patient’s final wish has inspired a heartfelt and lasting legacy.
Watercolour artist Gwyneth Wright, who died of pancreatic cancer in August 2023, was able to spend her final weeks at home thanks to the support of Herriot Hospice Homecare.
Her husband Richard has since chosen to leave a gift in his Will to the charity, helping others receive the same compassionate care.
Mr Wright said: “I want others to have what Gwyneth had – dignity, care, and peace.
Richard and Gwyneth and their children (Image: Supplied)
“Leaving a gift in my Will is my way of keeping her legacy alive.”
The couple, married since 1976, shared a life full of adventures, having climbed all 214 Wainwright fells in the Lake District and travelled to Australia, Sri Lanka, and Cuba.
In retirement, Mrs Wright remained active in her community, painting landscapes, singing with the Brompton-on-Swale Ladies Choir, and walking with the Swaledale Outdoor Club.
She and her husband also helped save their village pub, turning it into a community hub.
Her diagnosis in May 2023 came without warning and just three months later she died at home, as she had wished, with her husband by her side.
Mr Wright said: “They made it possible for Gwyneth to be at home, where she wanted to be.”
Following her death, the family raised £1,600 through a JustGiving fund for Macmillan Cancer Support and Herriot Hospice Homecare.
An art exhibition in June 2025 at The Travellers Rest in Skeeby, hosted by the family and partnering with friend and landlady Nicola, raised a further £1,250, also split between the two charities.
Mr Wright’s decision to leave a legacy gift came after he read about free Will-writing appointments offered by solicitor Scott Wright in Herriot Hospice Homecare’s newsletter.
He continues to honour his wife’s memory by completing another round of the 214 Wainwrights — this time on her behalf.
He has just 42 left to go.
He has also continued their tradition of travel, recently visiting Austria and Spain.
Herriot Hospice Homecare is highlighting stories like Mr Wright’s as part of its national legacy campaign, which encourages people to consider leaving gifts in their Wills to help fund vital hospice care.
Legacy gifts help the charity provide end-of-life care and support to patients and their families across North Yorkshire.
The charity’s legacy campaign aims to raise awareness of the impact of leaving a charitable gift in a Will, whether large or small.
To learn more about leaving a gift in your Will to Herriot Hospice Homecare, visit https://www.herriothh.org.uk/pledge.
