Grandmother who died in bath praised for 'determination' throughout cancer journey

Yahoo

3 days ago

A grandmother who determinedly kept her independence throughout four years of cancer treatment died at home while taking a bath, a court has heard.
Glenis Townsend, 74, died in November last year at her home in Hemsby, near Great Yarmouth.
An inquest into her death held at Norfolk Coroner's Court heard she was a retired carer who led an active life.
Norfolk Coroner's Court in Norwich (Image: Denise Bradley) In October 2021, she was diagnosed with cancer of the endometrium and advised that she would need to undergo chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
However, at the time of her death, she had been placed on a palliative pathway of treatment which had left her bedbound in her final weeks.
In a statement read to the court, her son said: "She was always a very active woman.
"She was a very able woman and was determined to manage her symptoms daily.
"She was a determined woman and was ready to continue her fight."
However, on the morning of November 9, Mrs Townsend was found unresponsive in her bath tub. Paramedics attended the scene, but she was declared dead.
A post mortem determined the medical cause of her death was drowning.
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Assistant coroner Johanna Thompson said: "Mrs Townsend had a history of poor health following a cancer diagnosis, but she stayed as active as possible and tried to maintain her independence.
"It is clear she was found having been in the bath for some time and there is no suggestion that her being in the bath was anything out of the ordinary."
The coroner gave a narrative conclusion which stated she had drowned in the bath at home while in poor underlying health.
Ms Thompson added: "I would like to express my sincere condolences to her family and friends."
To read all obituaries and tributes join the Facebook group Norfolk's Loved & Lost.