Continuing Bonds with Craig

“I know it sounds strange but sometimes I think, ‘Did I imagine Craig?’ But having this portrait validates that he did exist and was important to a lot of people.” Krista, Craig’s wife

Portraits with Purpose: Continuing Bonds is a collaboration between St Oswald’s Hospice and Local Artist, Leanne Pearce. Working with 12 bereaved and pre-bereaved families who have accessed our bereavement support service and/or other care services, Leanne has created stunning paintings of their loved ones to support them in their ‘continuing bonds’ process. Here is the story of one of the families who took part in this unique and beautiful project.

Krista, who is originally from Finland, met Craig from Portsmouth online in 2006. They chatted for around 3 months before arranging to meet. They bonded over their passions for the arts and pop culture, and love quickly blossomed.

The couple married in 2009 and they settled in Byker, where Craig was based.

The pair enjoyed sharing their interests with others and often put on music and film events.

In 2015, Craig was diagnosed with a melanoma. It was successfully treated but a year later, the couple were given the devastating news that Craig had bowel cancer.

He underwent chemotherapy, but sadly, the cancer spread to his liver and lungs.

Five days before Craig died, he was referred to St Oswald’s Hospice Adult Inpatient Service. Krista described the care he received as “amazing”. She stayed in their private room and didn’t leave her husband’s side.

Craig died in April 2018, aged 56.

Krista joined a bereavement support group at St Oswald’s Hospice for a year afterwards, followed by 1:1 sessions.

She described her grief as an “up and down journey,” adding, “Being a widow is one of those things you don’t understand until it hits you.”

Krista, now works as a Retail Support Manager at St Oswald’s Hospice.

After Craig died, Krista began designing her own fabrics and Leanne took inspiration from one of them to create the background of the portrait.

Though painted from a photo, Craig’s portrait feels to Krista like an image she’s “never seen before”.

“I know it sounds strange but sometimes I think, ‘Did I imagine Craig?’ But having this portrait validates that he did exist and was important to a lot of people.”

Krista, Craig’s wife.

She added: “I also know Craig would have loved the painting Leanne has made.”

Our care: Adult Inpatient Service and Bereavement Support