Swindon home pays tribute to beloved resident

Members of staff at Ladymead care home in Swindon have issued a tribute to a resident who sadly died in August this year, having lived at the home for 14 years – longer than any other resident.

Terrence (Terry) Whettam, was born in Swindon in September 1942, where he was raised and spent the rest of this life.

An only child, he was born to parents Marjorie and Cyril, and after his school years he became an apprentice motor mechanic at ‘Crowdy’s’ in Devizes Road.

He met and married his wife Carol and had three sons – Ian, Steve and Kevin before the marriage sadly ended.

Alongside his hard work as a motor mechanic, Terry fished, keeping a boat on the river and his main passion after his family was playing as a drummer in a number of big bands such as ‘the Pentagon Show Band’, ‘the Mid-West Big Band’ and in a jazz quartet called ‘Jazz Giants’.

In January 2006 at the age of just 62, Terry was admitted to Ladymead have endured a catastrophic bleed on the brain which had left him with a number of disabilities. He spent 14 years living at the home, where he was very much part of the Ladymead family. Sadly, he passed away on the 7^th August this year.

Home Manager Byju Vasudevan said: “Terry’s death hit everyone at the home very hard.  He had been part of life at Ladymead for so long, and was a real part of our family here.

“He lived with us for longer than any other resident has to date, so our staff all knew him so well and enjoyed caring for him to make his life as happy and comfortable as possible.

“It is with the deepest sadness that we say goodbye to Terry – it was an honour and a privilege to care for him.”

Ladymead is part of the Healthcare Homes Group and is based on Moormead Road in Wroughton.  For more information call 01793 845063.

Pip Rich