THE 'founder mother' of the Shalom project in north Pembrokeshire has died before seeing the hospice opened.

Author Elizabeth de Guise donated her own bungalow in St Davids for hospice facilities for the terminally ill.

She had spent her early life in Kenya and South Africa. Her fiancee was killed during the Mau Mau uprising.

At the age of 24, she joined the Benedictine nuns for a time, but her health was not good enough. She later lived in Tunisia and travelled in North Africa, Europe and the USA.

She began writing successful romantic fiction and historical novels.

She decided to provide her own bungalow as a hospice in 1997 after a discussion with her district nurse. At the time Elizabeth was making a slow recovery from surgery.

Said Margaret Burnett, founder of Shalom: "Elizabeth wanted to provide a place in Pembrokeshire where people could receive short-term respite care in a building dedicated for use by people who needed this very specialised care.

"Unfortunately, the building and equipment is not yet complete."

Elizabeth herself was terminally ill but because Shalom House was not ready she was unable to use the facilities.

Said Margaret: "However, all the care that Elizabeth needed was provided by the dedicated medical and nursing staff of ward ten at Withybush Hospital.

"But Elizabeth's dearest wish was to see Shalom built and equipped but that was not to be. Maybe her passing will spur all the agencies responsible for the Pembrokeshire Project to bring it to a rapid conclusions and Shalom can be up and running."

She added that trustees, management committee, and fundraiser saluted a remarkable generous lady who had also given a number of years to the Pembrokeshire Counselling Service.