Dying mum's wish to spend last Christmas with family

CHRISTMAS GIFT: Debbie Leismann, centre, delighted to be with her family, Renee Andrew (left), Ella, 5, Alison Torkington, Joshua Andrew and Carter, 2. PHOTO/JOHN STONE

The festive season has always given vivacious Debbie Leismann one more reason to celebrate life and family, but there will never be another Christmas like this one.

Sadly, it is likely she will not have any other Christmas - which is why a surprise visit from loved ones, including her son and his family from Australia, was even more special yesterday.

Ms Leismann, the bright, bubbly, blonde who as receptionist was the welcoming face of LJ Hooker in Whangarei for many years, has been given only a few months to live due to incurable brain cancer discovered this year.

In a few short months, she underwent three operations and other treatment in Auckland, and has come home to Whangarei where she now gets specialist live-in care at Radius Rimu Park resthome.

Her daughter Renee Andrew, from Auckland, and her son Joshua, his fiance Alison Torkington and their children Ella, 5 and Carter, 2, have visited her as often as possible in that time, but for the Brisbane family it has been costly and hard to organise.

Along with many things Ms Leismann is now facing, she had expressed heartache that she might not share this last Christmas with her children - until her workmates and the resthome stepped in.

"We wanted her to have that chance," Rimu Park manager Penny Goodwill said.

"We thought, if someone's dream can come true, well, let's try to make it happen."

Radius Care managing director Brian Cree approached the Michael Springford Trust, set up by the family of the late owner of Whangarei LJ Hooker who have known Ms Leismann for many years.

With their help and only a few weeks' notice, Mr Andrew and his family have been able to visit her as near as possible to Christmas.

"We've been over a couple of times since Mum got sick but we wouldn't have been able to do it again without this wonderful help," Mr Andrew said.

"These people have been so generous.

"It means so much to us."

About 30 of Ms Leismann's friends and other family members were also there yesterday to share the tears, hugs, smiles, memories, gifts and more tears.

It was a joyful occasion, but there wasn't a dry eye in the house.

"It was very emotional when she saw them. It was very emotional for everyone," Ms Goodwill said.

The surprise arrival took place on the same day the resthome held its annual Christmas party, an occasion already filled with season's greeting, friends and family.