Christine Kearney
This standard lamp is in my sitting room. The lamp base is pine and has flowers and leaves painted on it going up to the light at the top. The base belonged to Dame Cicely, the lampshade is my own (slightly wonky, as it was difficult to find one to fit). The lamp used to be in what we called the ‘Professor’s studio.’ This was Professor Marian Bohusz-Szyszko, Dame Cicely’s husband and a prolific artist. His studio was based in the small flat on Rugby Ward at the Hospice. When he died, Dame Cicely asked me to clear the flat. The lamp used to have a cream silk shade, which she kept – but she gave the lamp base to me. It is marked with globules of oil paint in rich colours – reminiscent of the paints used by the Professor. It is a constant reminder to me of them both and brings back many happy memories of times shared.
Former PA to Dame Cicely Saunders,
St. Christopher’s Hospice
 
London, UK