Remembering Our Dear Colleague, Moya James

A tribute from Galway Hospice.

This week, the Galway Hospice team learned with great sadness of the death of our retired colleague and friend, Moya James.

Moya was part of Galway Hospice from the very beginning, joining the team when the Inpatient Unit opened on 8th December 1997. She retired over 15 years ago — the very first member of staff to retire from the hospice — but her presence, her influence, and her spirit have remained with all who worked alongside her.

Moya brought with her a depth of nursing knowledge and life experience that shaped the early years of hospice care in Galway. She had worked across the world — including years spent nursing in Africa — and was a trained midwife with a wealth of skill, intuition, and calm assurance that came “as second nature” to her.

Colleagues remember her as “old-school in the very best way — full of experience, full of energy, with everything done properly.” She had a remarkable ability to sense when a patient was beginning to deteriorate, and she cared with gentleness, respect, and quiet confidence.

But it wasn’t just her professional wisdom that made Moya special. She was great fun, full of humour, and brought warmth into every shift — especially the long nights shared with younger nurses who looked to her for guidance. Many have said, “If you were ever in doubt, you went to Moya. She told you the truth, but always with kindness.”

She loved her family deeply and openly shared her life with her colleagues — the weddings, the graduations, the milestones. Those connections made her a beloved part of the hospice family.

Moya embraced life after retirement. She travelled widely, and she lived fully, freely, and joyfully.

In the hospice, we hold special traditions to remember those we have lost. Each year, handmade ornaments are hung on our memory tree in honour of former staff. This year, we will add an ornament for Moya — a small but heartfelt way of keeping her close while we still remember her.

To Moya’s family, friends, neighbours in Furbo, Co. Galway, and all who loved her — we send our warmest thoughts, sympathy, and gratitude.

May her gentle soul rest in peace.