Latest news with #MarieCurieHospice
Sunday World
07-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Sunday World
Heartbreak at funeral of teacher who died just weeks after getting married
Much-loved teacher and 'absolute gentleman' laid to rest During the service, Frank Sharkey paid tribute to his son Matthew, who passed away earlier this week following a battle with cancer. He told mourners how his son: 'Built a community around him; a network of friends, colleagues, students, neighbours and strangers who somehow, after meeting him once, couldn't stay strangers for long. 'He had that rare magic to pull people in and made them feel welcome, seen and included with his kindness, charm and a pint of Guinness in hand.' Matthew was a teacher at St Colman's Sixth Form College in Ballynahinch News in 90 Seconds - Aug 7th He also paid tribute to the Marie Curie Hospice staff who took care of Matthew in his final days. 'You are all living saints and words don't do you justice, we can't thank you enough,' he said. Matthew Starkey spoke earlier this year about being diagnosed with a 'fast growing stage 4 spinal tumour'. The 32-year-old revealed that what started out as a seemingly innocuous football injury, had sent his life down a path he never could have imagined. Read more At the time Matthew, who was a teacher at St Colman's Sixth Form College in Ballynahinch, was in hospital but said he was ready to throw everything back at life once he was released. He had hoped to take part in the Belfast Half Marathon in a wheelchair, raising funds for the Friends of the Cancer Centre. In June, Matthew tied the knot with his fiancée Carrie who he described as the 'woman of his dreams'. On Monday, Matthew's family announced he had passed away surrounded by his loved ones at the Marie Curie Hospice. Matthew Starkey at his graduation with Carrie, mum Fiona and dad Frank His wife Carrie and mother Fiona both read a poem at the mass and his father Frank read out a eulogy paying tribute to his son. He described how Matthew was a 'shy and quiet boy' when he was a child and 'preferred to stay at the edge of the crowd'. 'From those hesitant beginnings emerged a man who would grow to become the absolute centre of attention – never for show or ego, but because people naturally gravitated towards him due to his warmth, his wit and his sincerity,' said Frank. Matthew Starkey and and fiancée Carrie Fleming 'We've heard from so many people over the past few months, from extended friendship circles we didn't even know existed, and they all say the same thing – that Matthew was caring, thoughtful, uplifting and deeply, deeply loved.' He spoke of how, from the moment he met his wife Carrie, 'she was the love of his life' and it was 'clear they were perfect for each other'. 'In just four years they built a beautiful life filled with travel, laughter and deep, unwavering love,' he said. 'A young couple should never have to endure what they have but every step they took, they took together, whole-heartedly and with unwavering strength.' He added how he faced his devastating cancer diagnosis the way he faced everything else in life – 'with grace, courage and an incredible sense of humour'. 'He faced the most unfair fight with dignity, courage and humour,' he added. Matthew Starkey 'He taught us more in the last few months than we ever taught him. 'It redefined what strength looks like. 'We all want to continue your legacy with love and pride, rest easy now, our beautiful boy.' He described how his son's passion for teaching was not just to educate his pupils, but to 'connect, to inspire and to lift others up'. 'Teaching wasn't just a job to him, it was where he poured his whole heart – he didn't just teach lessons from a textbook, he taught empathy, he taught humour, he taught perspective and compassion,' he said. 'He became the type of teacher pupils remember forever.' Pupils from St Colman's Sixth Form College formed a guard of honour at the funeral on Thursday at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Carryduff. Matthew was a teacher at St Colman's Sixth Form College in Ballynahinch News Catch Up - Thursday 7th August During his homily, Very Reverend Canon Sean Rogan spoke of how the 'role of teacher is a noble vocation'. 'To be a teacher is to impart knowledge and to guide and support young citizens,' he said. St Colman's paid tribute to the former teacher of ICT, Business Studies and PE. They posted on Facebook: 'An absolute gentleman, loved by pupils and colleagues alike, we will remember Matthew for the inspirational role model that he was and the wide reach that he had across our whole school community. 'Matthew has left a lasting mark on us all and he will be sorely missed.'
Belfast Telegraph
07-08-2025
- General
- Belfast Telegraph
‘Rest easy, our beautiful boy': Teacher's dad pays tribute at funeral after death from cancer
During the service, Frank Sharkey paid tribute to his son Matthew, who passed away earlier this week following a battle with cancer. He told mourners how his son: 'Built a community around him; a network of friends, colleagues, students, neighbours and strangers who somehow, after meeting him once, couldn't stay strangers for long. 'He had that rare magic to pull people in and made them feel welcome, seen and included with his kindness, charm and a pint of Guinness in hand.' He also paid tribute to the Marie Curie Hospice staff who took care of Matthew in his final days. 'You are all living saints and words don't do you justice, we can't thank you enough,' he said. Matthew Starkey spoke to the Belfast Telegraph earlier this year about being diagnosed with a 'fast growing stage 4 spinal tumour'. The 32-year-old revealed that what started out as a seemingly innocuous football injury, had sent his life down a path he never could have imagined. At the time Matthew, who was a teacher at St Colman's Sixth Form College in Ballynahinch, was in hospital but said he was ready to throw everything back at life once he was released. He had hoped to take part in the Belfast Half Marathon in a wheelchair, raising funds for the Friends of the Cancer Centre. In June, Matthew tied the knot with his fiancée Carrie who he described as the 'woman of his dreams'. On Monday, Matthew's family announced he had passed away surrounded by his loved ones at the Marie Curie Hospice. His wife Carrie and mother Fiona both read a poem at the mass and his father Frank read out a eulogy paying tribute to his son. He described how Matthew was a 'shy and quiet boy' when he was a child and 'preferred to stay at the edge of the crowd'. 'From those hesitant beginnings emerged a man who would grow to become the absolute centre of attention – never for show or ego, but because people naturally gravitated towards him due to his warmth, his wit and his sincerity,' said Frank. 'We've heard from so many people over the past few months, from extended friendship circles we didn't even know existed, and they all say the same thing – that Matthew was caring, thoughtful, uplifting and deeply, deeply loved.' He spoke of how, from the moment he met his wife Carrie, 'she was the love of his life' and it was 'clear they were perfect for each other'. 'In just four years they built a beautiful life filled with travel, laughter and deep, unwavering love,' he said. 'A young couple should never have to endure what they have but every step they took, they took together, whole-heartedly and with unwavering strength.' He added how he faced his devastating cancer diagnosis the way he faced everything else in life – 'with grace, courage and an incredible sense of humour'. 'He faced the most unfair fight with dignity, courage and humour,' he added. 'He taught us more in the last few months than we ever taught him. 'It redefined what strength looks like. 'We all want to continue your legacy with love and pride, rest easy now, our beautiful boy.' He described how his son's passion for teaching was not just to educate his pupils, but to 'connect, to inspire and to lift others up'. 'Teaching wasn't just a job to him, it was where he poured his whole heart – he didn't just teach lessons from a textbook, he taught empathy, he taught humour, he taught perspective and compassion,' he said. 'He became the type of teacher pupils remember forever.' Pupils from St Colman's Sixth Form College formed a guard of honour at the funeral on Thursday at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Carryduff. News Catch Up - Thursday 7th August During his homily, Very Reverend Canon Sean Rogan spoke of how the 'role of teacher is a noble vocation'. 'To be a teacher is to impart knowledge and to guide and support young citizens,' he said. St Colman's paid tribute to the former teacher of ICT, Business Studies and PE. They posted on Facebook: 'An absolute gentleman, loved by pupils and colleagues alike, we will remember Matthew for the inspirational role model that he was and the wide reach that he had across our whole school community. 'Matthew has left a lasting mark on us all and he will be sorely missed.'
Glasgow Times
12-06-2025
- General
- Glasgow Times
'Angel' volunteer honoured for compassionate care in Glasgow
Steve Goody, 73, from Torrance, was named Volunteer of the Year at the East Dunbartonshire Voluntary Awards (EDVA) on June 5 after being nominated by Marie Curie. The father-of-one began volunteering with the charity in 2022 as a companion volunteer, visiting people in their homes for a few hours each week. Steve said: "I'm retired, so I've got time on my hands and the usual kind of thing that I guess everybody says but it's true – to put something back, to help others. Read more: Rescue plan set to see football club reformed as newco following liquidation Man accused of abusing women 'pretended he had terminal illness' Celtic make 'official approach' to sign versatile Sweden international "My wife died of cancer in 2015 and for a couple of nights she had a Marie Curie nurse just to give me a break because she was at home. "She also spent four days in the Marie Curie Hospice, Glasgow, but for her, she wanted to die at home, and Marie Curie made that possible for her." He said he finds the work "very fulfilling" and said he values the opportunity to make a difference during such a difficult time in others' lives. Tracey Brown, community engagement and development manager at Marie Curie Scotland, said: "We were so proud to be able to nominate Steve for this award, as he's one of our most dedicated and committed volunteers. "We had some lovely feedback from one family Steve supports, where he had been able to help their dad visit all his favourite places around Glasgow - something he struggled to do on his own but that was very important to him. "The family has told us about the difference Steve has made as he has continued to visit their dad in the hospital. "The gentleman's daughter has described Steve as being 'like an angel' who has come to support her dad and his family at a time that has been very difficult for them all and he's also been able to be there for her to listen and provide emotional support at a time that has been so hard for her. "It's a pleasure to work with Steve, and we are so proud of the difference he makes as part of the companion team here in Glasgow."
Glasgow Times
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
BGT finalist surprise gig at Glasgow Central Station
Vinnie McKee took to the station piano to sing Never Enough from the hit musical The Greatest Showman. We previously reported that the 24-year-old bingo caller became a national sensation after Simon Cowell hit the golden buzzer during his audition. READ MORE: Glasgow bingo caller makes Britain's Got Talent final READ MORE: Vinnie McKee performs at Marie Curie Hospice in Glasgow The proud Glaswegian from Ruchazie moved both judges and viewers with his powerful rendition of Snow Patrol's Chasing Cars, earning him a spot in this year's final. Before heading off to London for the BGT grand finale on Saturday, May 31, he gave fellow Glaswegians one last emotional performance at the station that helped shape his journey. We sent off one of Glasgow's own this morning- @vinniemckeeuk is off to the Britain's Got Talent finals!! 🎤 But not before giving us one last performance on the station piano.👏🎹 Best of luck Vinnie- Glasgow's behind you all the way!💙#BGT #GlasgowCentral@AvantiWestCoast — Glasgow Central (@NetworkRailGLC) May 28, 2025 Glasgow Central Station shared footage of the moment on social media, writing: "We sent one of Glasgow's own off this morning - Vinnie McKee is off to the Britain's Got Talent finals! "But not before giving us one last performance on the station piano. "Best of luck, Vinnie- Glasgow's behind you all the way."
