In a week that opened with the funeral of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, St Cuthbert’s Care Nursing Homes worked with residents at its sites on the day to ensure that one of the nation’s most beloved leaders received a worthy send-off.
St Cuthbert’s Care Nursing Homes are a regional charity based in the northeast of England and are a frontline registered social care provider. Founded in the Catholic faith, St Cuthbert’s Care’s homes uphold the provider's Catholic ethos and values and have their own on-site chapels, while warmly welcoming residents from all denominations or even none.
Residents at St Cuthbert’s Care’s two sites, the Holy Cross Nursing Home in Sunderland and the St Catherine’s Nursing Home in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, spent Monday this week watching the Queen’s funeral service unfold on the television and shared memories of her incredible service to the country.
Emma Parkin, the home manager at Holy Cross, commented: “Our residents wanted to create a book of condolences (for the Queen). There are so many beautiful messages in there, it brings a tear to the eye!”
One message of condolence in the book read: “Thank you (Queen Elizabeth II) for 70 years of service, you are now reunited with your Prince Philip (the late Duke of Edinburgh and the Queen’s husband), may you rest in peace.”
One of the Holy Cross residents said that the day of the funeral was a “lovely day together sharing memories” and constituted a wonderful send off for our gracious Queen.”
At St Catherine’s Nursing Home, emotional messages of condolence were left in the site’s chapel. One resident said in his message that the Queen was both “a good woman and noble”, highlighting his “warm memories” of having met the late monarch.
The message concluded: “I am deeply saddened by her (the Queen’s) passing. May God grant you eternal peace.”
Staff at the home also served a spread of cakes, snacks, tea and small marmalade sandwiches in memory of the Queen, a nod to her cameo appearance in a sketch alongside the fictional character from children’s literature, Paddington Bear.
Lesley Oliver, the St Catherine’s Nursing Home manager, said: “It was a beautiful day with our residents enjoying the splendour of it all. Our residents loved seeing the Queen’s grandchildren and great grandchildren on the TV, as well as the horses and corgis. Wonderful memories were shared throughout the day.
“With regards to our table spread, everyone agreed that our Queen and Paddington Bear would have approved!”
It was with great sorrow that The Leaders Council of Great Britain & Northern Ireland learned of the death of Queen Elizabeth II, one of our most beloved and iconic leaders. We continue to extend our sympathies to the Royal Family and our very best wishes to Her late Majesty’s successor, King Charles III.
