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Robert Quaife and Linda Christie were said by their daughters to be ‘soulmates’ (Image: Cover Images)
Three heartbroken sisters are grieving after losing both their mother and father to the same cancer within weeks of each other. Linda Christie, 63, passed away just over a month after her partner Robert Quaife, 67, in the same hospital bed.
In an unimaginable twist of fate, three sisters are navigating the depths of grief after the devastating loss of both their mother and father to cancer within mere weeks of each other. Linda Christie, aged 63, succumbed to the illness just over a month following the passing of her partner, 67-year-old Robert Quaife, in the same hospital bed.
Robert’s daughter, Joanna Helder, has stepped up to support her half-sisters, Kelly, Charlie, and Hayley, by launching a fundraising effort to help them cope with the financial strain of organizing two funerals so close together. The emotional burden is compounded by the sudden nature of their parents’ deaths.
Reflecting on their lives, Joanna shared that the couple seemed “apparently fine” throughout much of the previous year. However, the situation took a dire turn when Robert began experiencing mild lethargy and tiredness in November, which prompted a visit to the doctor. The subsequent hospital tests revealed a grim diagnosis of lung cancer that had metastasized throughout his body.
Robert passed away peacefully at home on December 5. On that same day, Linda went to see a doctor regarding a severe cough, only to face the shocking news that she, too, had stage four lung cancer. Her battle was brief, and she passed away on January 12, leaving the family reeling from the rapid succession of losses.
“It has been absolutely devastating,” Joanna expressed, capturing the overwhelming sense of shock and heartbreak that has engulfed the family.
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Joanna has set up a GoFundMe appeal for her sisters, who are based in London, which has already raised nearly £2,000 towards the £5,900 target.
She said: “I have helped as much as I can with dad’s, which is on January 23, paying for the wake and flowers. But the total funeral cost was over £6,000. My sisters are now facing having to find a similar amount for their mum’s. I will help as much as I can because she was a wonderful step-mum but it is proving hard.”
Linda Christie was diagnosed with exactly the same cancer as her partner just after he died (Image: Cover Images)
Joanna revealed her own mother Mary had proposed launching the fundraiser.
She explained: “Dad and mum split up when I was a child, but they remained good friends. Mum was very upset by his and Linda’s deaths; she had been a great step-mum to me.
“She said I should try and do something for my sisters to help them. The response has been wonderful and I am so grateful.
“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.”
In her GoFundMe plea Joanna wrote: “My dad’s funeral has been paid for… but the financial toll of raising funds to give Linda a beautiful send off in such a short space of time… is not possible.
Linda Christie was diagnosed with cancer shortly after Robert Quaife passed away (Image: Cover Images)
“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, to give Linda a beautiful cremation ceremony. Linda was genuinely the most selfless person you could ever meet.
“We would be so grateful for any help you could offer at this devastating time. From the bottom of our hearts.”
