Couldn’t have written a better script
Date of news/blog: 12th December 2025John Escott says when his childhood sweetheart Christine passed away peacefully at Brockington House, surrounded by the people she loved and who loved her, that: “I couldn’t have written a better script.”
It’s always painful when a loved one passes, but John says his family’s end of life experience was a good one and part of that was knowing Chris had received the best possible care during her time at Brockington.
And even though his wife of 64 years (they knew each for 71 years as they first met as children aged 16 and 14) is no longer with us, John still volunteers at Brockington House and was recently named as a Volunteer of the Year finalist in the 2025 Dormy Awards.
Chris initially moved to Brockington on a respite basis after suffering a stroke, with John being her main carer at the time. She became a permanent resident after her health deteriorated and lived here for 12 months until her death this year.
“Her death was so peaceful,” explains John.
“She passed away quietly surrounded by the people she loved and who loved her and I honestly couldn’t have written the script any better.
“The staff were amazing and it reinforced the reason why we chose Brockington in the first place because it is just a very special home.”
John is an opera fanatic who has spoken to women’s institutes and other local groups about his love of singers like Maria Callas so he was asked by his friend Richard if he would come and give talks to the ladies and gentlemen at Brockington.
He still comes in at least once a month and our residents really look forward to his visits.
“It’s my way of my way of saying thank you to everybody at Brockington House who were so good with Chris and kind to me,” he explains.
“I didn’t expect to receive anything, but it was lovely to be invited to the Dormy awards and to be a finalist.”
The Dormy silver award wasn’t the only accolade John has received in 2025 because earlier this year he was in King’s Birthday Honours list, collecting a British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to sporting education.
This follows 35 years as a teacher, the vast majority of it in Hereford where he specialised in PE and, in particular, rugby.
During his time, he coached many people who went on to play first class rugby, including representing their countries.
John has two children, six grandchildren and five great grandchildren.