Collection

After her tragic death, a memorial concert, with performances by close medical friends, was held at the music centre. A collection held at the end raised several hundred pounds and was the seed that has since grown into the fund now known as the Fiona Dickson Memorial Trust.

The trust has been fostered by Fiona's parents, Ian and Beryl Dickson, who live in Dorset, and have remained in close touch with many of their daughter's friends, and are both trustees.

It is an approved charity whose main aim is the financial support of medical and allied professionals wishing to be further educated or trained in the care of the terminally ill in the community. It was one of Fiona's own interests, and the trustees hope it will improve care locally in her memory. Dr Lawrence Taffinder, of the Stickney surgery, who is one of the trustees, said they felt the most needy candidates for bursaries were nursing staff, who often received little help with specialised training from their employers. But the trust rules were flexible and allowed awards to be given to those most worthy in the eyes of the trustees, whether they were professional or lay people.

Doctor Fiona, originally from Amersham, Bucks, qualified as a doctor in 1986, and it was while she was working at Groby Road Hospital, Leicester, that she became ill with a rare liver tumour. But she recovered from major surgery and returned to work, coming to Boston in 1987. She bought a house in Old Leake and soon made friends locally, re-establishing friendships she had made at Pilgrim Hospital during a spell there as an undergraduate.

She joined the Stickney surgery in 1988, but during that autumn she fell ill again, and it was found that the tumour had spread to her chest.

Said Dr Taffinder: "Looking back to that December, many of her friends will recall her beautiful flute-playing at the annual Christmas ball, when she must have known how seriously ill she was."I believe she kept that knowledge to herself, wanting to play just one more recital."

The following week Fiona was in Groby Road Hospital undergoing major cardiothoracic surgery, and nearly lost her fight for life at Christmas.
Her inner strength and will to live carried her through, and she returned home, but it was soon evident that she could no longer work due to her failing health.

Throughout the following months she seemed to strengthen her resolve to win the battle against cancer, at the same time showing an unusually mature and peaceful acceptance of her destiny.

Dr Taffumder said: "She used her time to the full, visiting friends and family and travelling to see those she knew she might not see again.
Great strength. She gave great strength and comfort to all she encountered and seemed to radiate an inner peace. She was always willing to talk about her situation to help others understand how she, and they, could cope with the disease".

It was through her desire to offer the best for her patients that she wrote a booklet for them called Dealing With Cancer, in which she wrote of her most personal thoughts, and offered practical help and advice to cancer sufferers and their families.

In May 1989 Fiona invited friends and relatives to a party for her 26th birthday.

"It seemed so cruel that someone with so much to give of herself should have so little time left", said Dr Taffmder.

She died peacefully in Pilgrim Hospital in August 1989. She had stayed at home with her family until shortly before her death, and even in hospital in her last hours she reminisced with close friends and relatives.

Thanking everyone who had supported the trust, Dr Taffmder added: "We hope it will continue to have a place in sponsoring increased awareness and quality of terminal care in memory of this remarkable young lady."

The trustees are happy to receive applications for bursaries from the trust (usually up to £500.00 per person) and if you'd like to know more about the fund you can write to Mrs Marilyn Taffinder, the secretary, at Pennycress, Chapel Lane, Sibsey, Boston, Lincs, PE22 OSN. Mrs Taffnder would also be pleased to hear from you if you would like to make a donation to the trust or help in fundraising for it.