Terminal cancer patient marries fiancée in Colchester Hospital wedding
Dean Pennell fulfilled his wish to wed Kay Beaman surrounded by family
A man living with terminal cancer has achieved his lifelong dream by marrying his fiancée Kay Beaman in a heartwarming ceremony at Colchester Hospital.
The wedding was organised by dedicated hospital staff, including Langham Ward manager Lucy Everett, matron Emma Davis, and patient flow coordinator Donna Knox.
63 year old Dean Pennell, a former electroplater, and Kay, 62, have known each other for 24 years after meeting through their children when they lived in Basildon before relocating to Clacton-on-Sea.
Kay expressed her happiness and said, “I am absolutely elated, we have waited a long time and it’s so special to be able to celebrate our marriage here, with our families.”
Kay expressed her joy: “I am absolutely elated, we have waited a long time and it’s so special to be able to celebrate our marriage here, with our families.”
Dean proposed shortly after they got together, but with 10 children between them, financial constraints delayed their wedding plans.
“We were planning to get married this year,” Kay continued, “but with the situation as it was, we decided to bring the wedding forward.”
Despite his condition, Dean was determined to stand for as much of the ceremony as possible. Kay shared, “When the day came, he was adamant, as difficult as it was, that he was going to stand up for as much of the ceremony as possible, and we had a lovely day. He was exhausted afterwards.”
“It was absolutely brilliant,” Dean said. “The staff worked really hard to organise the wedding and Lucy is something else.”
Lucy Everett spoke about the experience: “It’s rare that we get to celebrate a wedding at Colchester Hospital – it’s a first for me – and it’s been an honour and privilege to be involved.”
Dean and Kay were joined by their 10 children and some of their 18 grandchildren, creating a cherished memory for the couple.
The hospital staff also presented Dean and Kay with a commemorative clock, marking the time they exchanged vows.
Dean is now back at home and focusing on spending quality time with his family. Kay remarked, “Dean is now back at home and we are living life to suit us.”