Nurse's Sudden Behaviour Change Preceded Brain Tumour Diagnosis and Rapid Death
Jean Branch, affectionately known as Jeannie, a devoted nurse and mother of four, passed away just 13 days after doctors discovered a cancerous brain tumour. The 58-year-old, who had previously battled Non-Hodgkin lymphoma twice, died at Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice on November 11, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.
A Life of Dedication and Resilience
Jeannie was a proud mother to her children – Christopher, 38, Lewis, 36, Nancy Simmons, 30, and Polly, 22 – and a cherished nanny to her grandchildren. She worked tirelessly as a nurse for most of her life, eventually progressing to deputy sister in the intensive care unit at University Hospital Lewisham. Despite often working night shifts, she maintained a perfectly run home and remained a devoted parent.
Nancy described her mother as someone who juggled multiple jobs while raising her family, noting that Jeannie loved clothing, shoes, and skincare products, always appearing impeccable. "She didn't have much money growing up, so I think one of her biggest goals in life was to make sure we didn't have the same challenges," Nancy explained. "We've always been a close family."
Previous Battles with Cancer
In 2013, Jeannie was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a type of blood cancer affecting white blood cells. She underwent multiple rounds of chemotherapy and reached remission in 2014. However, she relapsed in 2016, with the cancer progressing from Stage 2 to Stage 3, leading to a stem cell transplant to replace damaged blood cells.
By 2019, the family was told Jeannie might only have six months to live and palliative care was offered. "We were literally told she probably won't see six months, so we were beginning to say our goodbyes," Nancy recalled. Jeannie was subsequently offered CAR T therapy, becoming the second person in the UK to receive this treatment at the time, which placed her into remission again in 2019. Despite suffering damage from the treatments, she continued to lead a vibrant, hands-on life.
Sudden and Alarming Behaviour Changes
In September 2025, Jeannie began experiencing forgetfulness, but since other aspects of her life seemed normal, she dismissed it. The situation escalated on October 27, when she locked herself out of her house while the family was travelling to Bath to visit Polly. Upon their return, Jeannie stopped communicating effectively and exhibited unusual behaviours, such as wanting to sleep on the sofa with Polly's dog, despite not being particularly fond of dogs.
Nancy and Polly initially suspected a mental health issue or stroke, as these changes appeared abruptly. "We all thought it was mental health... never in my head did I think it was anything to do with cancer," Polly said. "I thought maybe she'd had a bleed on the brain or a stroke."
Rapid Diagnosis and Heartbreaking Prognosis
The family took Jeannie to King's College Hospital in London on October 29 for an assessment. Within hours in the A&E department, her condition deteriorated rapidly. A scan revealed a cancerous brain tumour, and doctors informed the family there was nothing they could do. On the day of her diagnosis, Jeannie held Nancy's hand and said, "I know you're really going to miss me." Polly added that when asked if she understood what was happening, Jeannie nodded and said, "I think it's time for me to die now."
Doctors indicated that Jeannie was just one grade away from being completely brain dead. The family stayed by her side, cuddling her, reminiscing, and singing the EastEnders theme tune, one of her favourite TV programmes. Despite her history as a fighter who had overcome cancer twice, the prognosis was grim.
Final Days and Emotional Farewell
Jeannie was transferred to Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice on November 4 and placed into palliative care. She died on November 11, surrounded by her four children, her sister Julie, and partner Michael. In her final moments, the family shared a moment of laughter when her son joked about breaking a chair, and the song "Your Love Keeps Lifting Me Higher & Higher" played. Nancy reflected, "The doctors said sometimes they're waiting for the right moment to go and, at that time, she had her four children together with her, laughing, in the same room."
Polly described her mother as "strong, independent and incredible," and even after her death, she struggled to accept it, thinking Jeannie might just be taking a breath. Nancy added, "I couldn't let go of her hand."
Fundraising to Honour Her Memory
The family is now fundraising to support Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice, which provided care and compassion during Jeannie's final days. This effort has given them a sense of purpose and helped them feel closer to her. Nancy expressed gratitude, saying, "She would have wanted it to go to the hospice and to help someone else, like they helped her and us. We will be eternally grateful for the love, care and compassion that they showed us all."
Pascale Harvie, president and general manager at JustGiving, highlighted the importance of hospices, stating, "Nancy's story highlights the vital role hospices play in supporting families when they need it most." The family encourages donations to their JustGiving page to support the hospice's essential work in the local community.
