HEARTBROKEN staff at Acorns Children’s Hospice were on hand to pay their respects to a ‘one of a kind’ member of staff.
Sally Parsons passed away on March 10 and ahead of her funeral on Monday (April 4) her final journey took in the Bath Road hospice for staff to say goodbye in a ‘poignant but beautiful’ moment.
A long-serving member of staff, Sally was appointed as head housekeeper when the Bath Road site first opened its doors in 2005.
Over the next 17 years her dedication and commitment to the charity was a feature of her work and in a tribute to Sally, the charity said although she was head housekeeper ‘her role and standing became so much more than that’.
“Sally was truly a one of a kind. Everyone knew that, whatever the organigram may have said, Sally was the real ‘boss’ of Acorns for the Three Counties,” the tribute read.
“She was always the go-to person for any questions or queries about the building or anything at all. She always threw herself completely into any activities and her kindness and compassion ensured that the children and families we care for always had exactly what they needed.
“She was usually one of the first people to arrive in the morning and even as she was making her way home for the day if there was an emergency admission she would drop her bags and support the team 100 per cent.
Staff hailed Sally for coming in on weekends and during holidays and for her devotion in putting county children and the Acorns care service at the heart of everything she did.
“Sally was a housekeeper like no other – a force to be reckoned with, but with a big heart and would turn her hand to anything to support all her colleagues across all teams,” the tribute read.
“We all have our own special memories of Sally, the events she organised, the training she delivered, the care and kindness she showed to her colleagues and the compassion she showed to the children and the families.
“She will never fade into the background and we all at Acorns feel grateful to have known her, she has enriched all our lives.”
