Woman who gave Oxenhope home as Manorlands Sue Ryder hospice dies aged 96 (From Keighley News)

Woman who gave Oxenhope home as Manorlands Sue Ryder hospice dies aged 96

9:00am Saturday 26th January 2013 in Keighley By Alistair Shand

A woman whose act of kindness led to the launch of the Manorlands Sue Ryder hospice in the 1970s has died, aged 96.

Monica Vestey and her husband Gordon gave their Oxenhope family home to the charity, and the first patients were admitted in 1974.

For the past three-and-a-half years, Mrs Vestey – whose husband died in 1986 – had been a resident at Herncliffe Care Home in Keighley.

Tribute was paid to her this week by Lizzie Proctor, head of care at Manorlands.

She said: “Our thoughts and condolences go out to the family and friends of Mrs Vestey at this very sad time.

“Most of us give to charity at some point in our lives, but it was because of the generosity of Gordon and Monica Vestey that their family home became what today is known as Manorlands hospice, one of seven hospices run by health and social care charity Sue Ryder across the UK.

“In addition to this original gift, Mrs Vestey continued to be extremely supportive to Sue Ryder-Manorlands Hospice throughout her life, and in 1996 donated Woodhouse Gate cottage and garages in memory of her husband.

“This enabled us to develop a base for education, meetings and fundraising.”

Mrs Proctor added: “The legacy of Mrs Vestey will live on and the generosity of the family will continue to enable us to provide incredible care to those who need it in our local area."