Three sisters from London have been left heartbroken after losing both their mother and father to the same aggressive form of lung cancer within just over a month of each other. The devastating sequence of events unfolded in the same hospital bed, compounding the family's grief with the financial burden of arranging two funerals in quick succession.
A Tragic Diagnosis Following Loss
Robert Quaife, aged 67, began experiencing unexplained fatigue and tiredness in November of last year. Initially dismissing it as minor, his condition prompted a visit to his doctor, who referred him to hospital for further tests. There, medical professionals delivered the shocking news that he had advanced lung cancer which had already spread extensively throughout his body.
Robert passed away at home on December 5th. On that very same day, his partner Linda Christie, 63, attended a doctor's appointment concerning a persistent bad cough that had been troubling her. Subsequent tests revealed she too had stage four lung cancer, mirroring Robert's diagnosis exactly.
"They Were Soulmates"
Linda was admitted to the same hospital and, in a cruel twist of fate, was placed in the identical bed within the same bay where Robert had been treated. She died on January 12th, just over five weeks after her partner. The couple's daughter, Kelly, shared a poignant moment with Linda in hospital, telling her she knew the pair were soulmates, to which Linda responded with a smile.
"It has been absolutely devastating, we are all just in pure shock," said Joanna Helder, Robert's daughter from a previous relationship, who is now fundraising for her half-sisters Kelly, Charlie, and Hayley. "My sisters are really suffering from losing their parents in such a short time. We have not even started discussing dad's funeral arrangements yet in detail – they just can't take it in."
The Overwhelming Financial Strain
The emotional trauma has been exacerbated by significant financial pressures. Robert's funeral, scheduled for January 23rd, has cost over £6,000, with Joanna contributing to the wake and flowers. The sisters now face the prospect of finding a similar amount for Linda's funeral, creating an immense burden during a period of profound grief.
To support her sisters, Joanna has launched a GoFundMe fundraiser with a target of £5,900. The appeal has so far raised nearly £2,000. She was encouraged to start the campaign by her own mother, Mary, who remained on good terms with Robert after their separation and was deeply saddened by both deaths.
A Plea for Support
In her online appeal, Joanna wrote: "The financial toll of raising funds to give Linda a beautiful send off in such a short space of time... is not possible. If you are able to help in any way, please donate to help ease the pain and suffering of my sisters and the whole family."
She described Linda as "genuinely the most selfless person you could ever meet" and expressed heartfelt gratitude for any assistance during this devastating chapter for the family.
