'Selfless' Mom of 2 Cares for Husband with Cancer – He Had to Bury Her Instead

A UK couple came together in marriage, not knowing they would face some of life's most difficult times together. When Marie McGukin cared for her sick husband, she did not think he would be the one to attend her funeral later.

Marie McGukin, a teacher from Northern Ireland, was beloved by many and respected because she stepped up to care for her husband when he fell ill. Nobody expected that she would pass on first.

The St. Patrick's College educator passed away in her home on Friday, May 13, 2022. Her husband, Patrick, and their two children were by her side when she passed.

After the shocking news that Marie had passed on, tributes for the educator began pouring in, with people saying she was "beautiful inside and out" and that she would not be forgotten by those who cared for her.

Marie Became Her Husband's Caregiver

After the sad turn of events, Patrick honored his wife with a sold-out memorial concert. In his tribute, he described her as "selfless," as she became his caregiver when he was diagnosed with cancer. He credited Marie as his "rock" during the year he was undergoing cancer treatment.

Patrick also mentioned that Marie was a loving wife and a wonderful mother to their two children. And as a teacher for 17 years, she treated her students as family, adding:

"I would describe her life as one of service to others. Family was very important to her, probably the most important thing in her life."

In August 2021, Patrick went into remission, and by November 2021, the family suffered another devastating blow when Marie was diagnosed with cancer and given only about six months to live.

Because Marie dedicated her life to others, her husband mentioned that she had become worried in her last days about what would happen to all those she loved when she eventually did pass on.

Patrick confessed that she had worried about the well-being of others almost more than she worried about her own. The concert her husband organized was held last week on Friday and was in aid of a cancer care charity called Charis Cancer Care, which helped the family.

Marie's Community Paid Tribute to Her

Among the many tributes that poured in for Marie, her brother-in-law said she was a wonderful, modest, and humble woman. He said she would be amazed to know there was a concert in her honor. he thought it was great that so many people held Marie in such high esteem, and said:

"That's a great comfort to me and her family, knowing that she was such a special person."

Marie's brother-in-law is a renowned baritone who performed in the concert in his sister-in-law's honor. He mentioned that aside from being a wonderful woman, she was a teacher in more ways than just at St. Patrick's.

He explained that Marie was always thinking of others and never thought of herself. Her motivation was to help others, and she was "not into" herself in any way. Her family loved her dearly.

Marie's brother-in-law produced the concert and said he didn't want it to be melancholic as he knew that's not what she would like it to be like as she always looked for the best in every situation.

Marie was the head of Geography at the school where she taught, and following her passing, they released a statement saying:

"The college this afternoon learned with deep regret the death of Mrs. Marie McGukin - Head of Geography, esteemed colleague and friend. She will be sorely missed by staff and pupils. We are heartbroken. May she rest in peace? St. Patrick, pray for her."

The school also offered their condolences to the family. The principal admitted that Marie's passing would leave a gap in the school and, indeed, in the hearts of all those who knew and loved her.

The principal, Brenda Mussen, called Marie a "gentle soul" and wished she would rest in peace. Apart from all those who worked with or were taught by her who sent their tributes, many others in the community did the same.

The community of Edendork GAC mentioned that her passing had brought heartbreak to the club. They said that as a community, they were better together and that they shared in everything.

Edendork GAC said they celebrated happy times together and came together for celebrations. They then mused:

"We are together this evening. We are together in grief, in sadness, in sympathy, and in our thoughts and in our prayers."

The club shared details of her death, saying she had been at home, surrounded by her loved ones, when she passed. They wished her parents, Colm and Mary, her sisters, Catherine, Siobhan, Elaine, and Roisin, her brother, Eugene, her nieces and nephews, and her husband and children their sincere condolences. They described Marie as a wonderful woman who was selfless and kind to everyone around her.

The club mentioned that Marie had provided "unwavering support" to her husband during his illness and had motivated all the children she taught. When she passed on, Marie was still in contact with her form.

Marie was once again described as thinking only of her loved ones in her final days. She wanted to know how she could support them and help them deal with her inevitable passing when it happened.

While the club acknowledged that Marie was known to many and beloved by all but was also not known to some, they mentioned that she was in everybody's thoughts the night she passed away.

While this couple's cancer diagnosis couldn't tear their family apart, that is not the case with everyone. One couple's cancer story broke them; read their story here.