Selfless Wife Kept Her Cancer Secret To Care For Husband

Val Turner

A NURSE decided to keep her terminal illness a secret from her family so she could care for her bedbound husband. 

Val Turner, who worked at Hereford’s Nuffield Hospital for 37 years, died this month – just 10 days after her daughters found out she had breast cancer. 

Bernard Turner

The 66-year-old had found a lump in her breast two years ago but did not seek treatment in order to care for her husband, Bernard, who had multiple sclerosis. 

He died in February aged 68 from pneumonia two months before cancer took Val’s life. 

The couple’s daughters Julie Turner, 43, and Clare Crosby, 41, described Val as selfless and brave for keeping her terminal illness a secret to nurse their father. 

Miss Turner said: “If she had taken up treatment, she wouldn’t have been able to care for dad.

“She was a nurse through and through. Other people were more important to her than herself – anybody will tell you that. 

“She always came last on her list and everyone else came first. 

“It was a very brave decision – the fact she didn’t tell anyone. How mum kept her illness a secret through the pain she must have endured is amazing.” 

Her mum’s sister had also suffered with breast cancer and had treatment, which was not successful.

Miss Turner said her mum chose a couple of good years with her husband, rather than three years with treatment. 

Bernard and Val on Their Wedding Day

The couple lived in Orchard Close, Bodenham and married 44 years ago in Bromyard. 

It was only after Mr Turner had died that Mrs Turner showed signs of her illness and her daughters discovered the devastating news. 

Mrs Turner got a job at Nuffield Hospital as a theatre nurse, eventually becoming theatre manager.

Mr Turner, who had been bed-bound for five years, was a gamekeeper at Lower Hope estate.

Mrs Turner’s funeral is on May 5 at Hereford Crematorium at 12.45pm with a gathering afterwards at The Amberley Arms near Marden.. 

Donations for St Michael’s Hospice and The Cinnamon Trust, can be sent to Cathedral Funeral Services, 55, St Owen Street, Hereford, HR1 2JQ.