Val and Alex Lawson shared 46 years of marriage – a partnership full of laughter, love, and a life well lived together. Their story began in the Station Bar in Paisley, when Alex – sober, but clearly excited – stumbled and spilled a drink all over Val’s brand-new top. It was a clumsy start to something truly special. 

They quickly became inseparable. Married in 1978 after less than a year together, they settled in a flat in McKerrell Street and built a life full of family, hard work and shared adventures. Val worked as a nurse, including a stint at ACCORD Hospice in the early 90s – a job she loved. Alex worked in various professions including a motor mechanic, bus driver and HGV driver. 

Together, they raised their son Gary and daughter Kayleigh, while carrying the memory of their daughter Melanie, who heartbreakingly passed away at just 14 weeks old. 

Alex only retired three years ago, and true to form, he filled his time with things he loved – pottering in the garden, baking for others and going on getaways to places like Oban and Pitlochry. Life was rich with the simple joys that come from being part of a close-knit family and community. Alex’s children Gary and Kayleigh describe Alex as a one in a million dad a true hero to them both. 

However, in early 2025, things changed. After months of back pain and a fading appetite that Alex brushed off, he was finally persuaded to see the doctor. What followed was a whirlwind: blood tests, incomplete scans, hospital stays. Then, on his birthday – 2nd March – came the devastating news: terminal cancer, with tumours in his liver, lungs and veins. 

Alex was heartbroken. The thought of hospice care frightened him. “I don’t want to go,” he told Val. He wanted to be at home – surrounded by the people and places he loved. That’s when ACCORD stepped in. 

Dr Bishop from ACCORD visited Alex at home. Val remembers her as “wonderful” – straight-talking, compassionate, and clear about what to expect. “She didn’t sugar-coat it,” Val said. “We appreciated that.” 

Soon after, the ACCORD@Home team began visiting. From the start, they treated Alex as a person – not a patient. They talked with him, made him feel at ease, and most importantly, gave him back his dignity. A hospice bed was set up in the spare room, allowing him to stay part of the family home. 

The nurses became more than just caregivers – they became part of the family. They brought calm, comfort, and gentle humour. Alex – ever the joker – would pretend to be asleep when they arrived, just for a laugh. He took pride in his appearance, and Val noticed how peaceful, fresh and dignified he always looked after their visits. 

What mattered most was that nothing was ever forced. Everything was on Alex’s terms – a man’s final wishes honoured with care, kindness and compassion. Val says the service allowed her to step back from being Alex’s carer and simply be his wife again. 

Alex passed away peacefully on 21st April 2025. 

Since then, Val has turned to ACCORD’s bereavement support services, knowing she needed help navigating life without her other half. 

“I’ve gone from being a ‘we’ to a ‘me’,” she said. “The grief is raw, but the support is helping me to find my feet again.” 

Reflecting on the care Alex received, Val said: “ACCORD@Home meant the world to us. It gave our family time, comfort and peace. It allowed Alex to stay where he wanted to be – at home. And it gave me the freedom to just be with him, not as a nurse, but as his wife. That meant everything.”