Why Rob is Remembering with Ribbons at Mountbatten Isle of Wight, this summer

This year would have marked 40 since Rob first met his wife, Tracey. They were together for 36 years, and married for 33.

Tracey died in September 2025, aged 58, whilst being cared for in Mountbatten's inpatient unit.

"Tracey was colour. She loved red. She was beautiful.

Rob will be tying a colourful ribbon in our Chelsea Garden this Summer, as a special dedication to his lovely wife, Tracey.

Tracey had suffered with ill health for most of her life; “She was mentally very strong, and physically not so strong. But she drove herself to do things, knowing she'd need about two or three days to recover, and that's how we had to live our whole life together around — whether she had the energy to do something, and then the time spent to get herself back to a normal state, which for her was always, you know, not great.”

Donate and dedicate a ribbon this summer: Click here to donate and dedicate a ribbon today.

Tracey was then diagnosed with uterine cancer, and was told this was incurable. Rob supported Tracey throughout her treatments, including chemotherapy. She underwent scans and spent time in out of hospital with infections.

In Spring 2025, Tracey was referred to Mountbatten Isle of Wight, to help with her pain management. Rob recalls, "Tracey was really stressed about the whole thing. She was really weak and poorly. She said people come here to die."

"But when we were taken into room 12, it all changed. Heather, the nurse who has on duty, she was amazing — 'absolutely amazing', as Tracey described later on."

Tracey stayed at Mountbatten for the rest of the month. During this time, Tracey was made to feel safe and comfortable. She trusted the nurses and carers who were supporting her.

"We have all heard of the hospice, but until you experience the service... I am in awe of Mountbatten.

Both Rob and Tracey experienced genuine love, kindness and care whilst Tracey was a patient in Mountbatten's inpatient unit.

Donate and dedicate a ribbon this summer: Click here to donate and dedicate a ribbon today.

Tracey went home in April, where Rob continued to cared for her, before she was admitted to the hospital in late July. After a few days, Palliative nurse, Shane, let them both know that there was a bed for Tracey at Mountbatten.

When Rob and Tracey were told it was time for Tracey to return to the hospice, they both breathed a sigh of relief:

“Because she was being so well cared for, and because she knew she would be safe here, I got to just be her husband again. We could spend precious time together.”

When Tracey returned to Mountbatten, she was back in room 12, and everything was laid out just as it was when she stayed previously. Rob recounts Tracey getting "greeted with lots of hugs - it was really positive - and she made herself at home".

"She needed routine; she needed similarity. It was above and beyond nursing."

Following Tracey's death, Rob continues to talk about Tracey every day, and keeps her memory alive.

“She hated her photos being taken. She would literally run away from camera. She didn't need to be, because she was beautiful, she was lovely.”

Rob will be tying a ribbon in Mountbatten’s Chelsea Garden this Summer, as a special tribute to Tracey.

The act of tying a ribbon is more than a symbol. It’s a way to honour those we love, to process grief, and to support the work of Mountbatten.

Donate and dedicate a ribbon this summer to help Mountbatten Isle of Wight support more Islanders like Rob and Tracey.

Donate and dedicate a ribbon this summer: Click here to donate and dedicate a ribbon today.

Every ribbon dedicated in Mountbatten’s Chelsea Garden this summer, and every donation made, helps ensure that no one on the Isle of Wight faces death, dying, or bereavement alone.