Husband carries on late wife’s legacy
A Belturbet man, who lost his wife to breast cancer, is continuing on with the fundraising efforts for cancer charities that his wife began before she passed away.
Filipino native Mildred Santillan passed away in October of last year and her husband Dennis has taken up the cause in her memory with the support of their three children Lance (16), Zoe (14) and Sinead (10).
Prior to her death, Mildred had been living here for 16 years with her husband and family. She had been raising money for cancer causes.
The Santillans now live at Kilconny, Belturbet. Previously they lived in Cavan Town.
Dennis told The Anglo-Celt that his wife was diagnosed with breast cancer seven years ago. Two years ago, she got the all clear, but the cancer returned.
Big-hearted Mildred decided to make her life a bit more meaningful and “leave a legacy of fundraising”.
“Mildred was very bubbly and happy and people did not realise she had cancer. She had a very good passive spirit,” said Dennis.
The fundraising efforts have being going on now for the past three years and Dennis thanked the people of Cavan for their generosity.
“The second fundraising event was very good, because the feedback from people was overwhelming,” said Dennis.
Mildred sent out a letter stating that she had only six months to live, but this did not stop her from helping other people.
St Patrick’s College students organised a breakfast morning last year for the cause in the light of the fact that Lance is a student there.
Then, as Mildred’s health deteriorated, she was admitted to St Christopher’s Hospice.
She passed away a couple of days after last year’s fundraiser in October. Before she died, Mildred asked Dennis and the family to continue with the events.
Dennis says that various hotels from all over the region are already donating vouchers for this year’s event and people are also circulating sponsorship cards.
For now, Dennis is staying at home to mind the family but and hopes to return to work in the hotel industry in the future.