Special Hospice fundraiser to remember Lorraine

A much-loved Athlone woman will be remembered at a very special fundraiser tonight in aid of South Westmeath Hospice.

Lorraine Degg (nee McLoughlin) from Iona Park died peacefully in the tender care of the local hospice on April 26 last, aged just 59, having initially been diagnosed with cancer in 2017 which was subsequently deemed terminal in the early part of this year.
Now, as a thank you for giving her a “home away from home” in her final weeks, her heartbroken family have organised a fundraiser for the local hospice tonight, Friday, November 22 in the Shamrock Lodge Hotel featuring music by Joe Dolan Tribute Pascal Brennan and Shanie Mac. The choice of music is very appropriate as Lorraine, one of a family of 15, was a huge Joe Dolan fan throughout her life, and on her 40th birthday she was presented with a signed Joe Dolan platinum record with a birthday message from the Mullingar singer which she loved. During her time in the hospice in between visitors (which there were plenty of) she would listen to Joe Dolan and other Country and Western favourites.
Her passion for music and Joe Dolan is ultimately where the idea for the event came from, her family said, adding they cannot say enough about the “amazing” care and attention she received in the hospice in her three weeks there. 
In early April Lorraine went into the hospice for pain management as her illness began to take its toll. 
“Mam had a fear of hospitals and also a fear of being left on her own in pain. Radiation treatment meant Mam was unable to raise her voice, this heightened her fear of being left on her own and unable to call out for help. Mam soon realised there was nothing to be worried or frightened about. The buzzer was always by her side and the nurses would pop in regularly during the day and night to ensure she comfortable,” her son Damien said this week in tribute to staff, adding that it became a home away from home for his mother and wider family in those final weeks.
“The care and attention Mam received from the moment she went into the hospice was just amazing. Mam felt so comfortable, never felt afraid, never felt alone and was treated with such dignity and respect in her final weeks and for that we as a family will be forever grateful. We are running the fundraiser as a way of giving back and saying thank you to the South Westmeath Hospice. Each and every nurse and member of staff are exceptional people and an absolute credit to their profession,” he added, saying the family were alarmed to read of recent attempts by the HSE to try and close or relocate the hospice and felt now was the time to highlight what it has done for their family. 
Lorraine, who was daughter of the late  Bernie and Jackie, is survived by her husband Andrew and sons Stephen, Damien and Daniel Smith, brothers and sisters Philip, Ronan, Desmond, Colin, Karen, Paula, Emmett, Shane, Aidan, Darragh, Irene, Jacqueline, Kathy, & Gavin, Yvonne, the wider extended family, relatives neighbours and many friends. 
Tickets for the music fundraiser on November 22 in the Shamrock Lodge Hotel are €10, they are available on the door on the night, online www.eventbrite.ie/e/south-westmeath-hospice-fundraiser-tickets-72778688015?aff=ebdssbdestsearch or on the Facebook event page or by calling Damien on 087 6775318.