Tributes have been paid to a “remarkable” doctor after she passed away just days after retiring, following an unexpected cancer diagnosis.
Dr Mary Engleback worked as an anaesthetist and pain specialist at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust.
The 60-year-old has been described as a “skilled, compassionate” doctor with “unwavering” dedication to her patients and colleagues.
Mary first started working at the old Kent and Sussex and Pembury hospitals in 1992, after the birth of her eldest son, Tom.
She specialised in anaesthetics and later went on to specialise further in the management of chronic pain.
The much-loved doctor was due to retire on January 31 this year, a day after her 60th birthday.
However, at the end of October 2024, she was unexpectedly diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and learned that the primary tumour in her colon had spread to her liver.
She died four months later – just 16 days into her retirement.
Now, those who worked alongside her in the pain service and the anaesthetic team have paid tribute to their “amazing” friend and colleague.
Andy Colyer, assistant general manager in theatres and critical care, said: “Mary was one of the kindest and most remarkable women I’ve ever met.
“She dedicated her life to erasing the pain and suffering of others, whilst being the most compassionate and empathetic person you could ever wish to work with.
“Her care towards her patients was very much the benchmark, and an inspiration to us all.”
He explained how her “greatest legacy” in his view, was the support she had given to her friends and colleagues, from being generous with her time to offering words of encouragement or quiet wisdom.
“We are all better people for having known her, and will miss her terribly,” he added.
Lead pain consultant, Dr Kevin Fai, said Mary was a “wonderful human being”.
He recalls a conversation where she had told him she was very much looking forward to becoming a grandmother, starting her retirement and enjoying more cycling holidays, as well as seeking a home with a bigger garden to fill her time.
He said: “It all sounded absolutely wonderful and completely in tune with everything she talked about over the years in terms of her pastimes and enjoyment.”
Six days after his conversation with Mary about her retirement, he received a “devastating” email from her telling the team about her diagnosis.
“We were all devastated and at the same time very shocked that someone who really looks after herself genuinely, in terms of fitness and diet, and clearly very much thrives on helping and supporting others should succumb to cancer,” he added.
The pain consultant explained how he first met Mary in 2008 when he was in the final year of his training.
He said: “Even from day one Mary was very warm and welcoming, and very humble, even though she was clearly very experienced and very good at her job.”
Kevin also recalled the doctor’s generosity, which she demonstrated through her love for baking.
On one occasion, he remembers how Mary had made a Victoria sponge cake, knowing it was his favourite, on a day she knew he would be present in the pain unit.
In addition, Mary enjoyed going on adventures on her bike, and her colleagues loved hearing about her travels.
Only a year ago this month, Mary and her husband, Oliver, had completed a cycle tour across Normandy on their yellow and orange touring bikes, affectionately known as Bert and Ernie.
Oliver said: “The bikes were laden with clothes and equipment, so not particularly light, but we really enjoyed our 700km of slow travel.”
Another colleague, Dr Catherine Cashell said she enjoyed hearing about Mary’s adventures.
She said: “Mary was a remarkable colleague, mentor, and friend”.
Having first worked alongside Mary as a junior trainee, she said her presence was “always calm”.
From here, she quickly became someone to “look up to and admire”, Catherine added.
Echoing this, Liv Fairweather-Green says she had the privilege of knowing Mary from 2018 onwards when they worked in theatres together before she became Mary’s secretary.
She said: “Me and Mary would always have so much fun working alongside each other. Even in stressful situations, she was able to make the best of every situation.
“She made sure that everyone was treated equally and she always gave her absolute best.
“I know that everyone loved working alongside Mary due to her high spirit and calm nature.
“She was a breath of fresh air and always up for a laugh. She dedicated her life to helping others.”
In the aftermath of her diagnosis, husband Oliver says he would walk or gently cycle with Mary, aware of the benefits of exercise.
But by the new year, her health had declined rapidly. Oliver cared for her at home as long as he could before she was transferred to the Hospice in the Weald, where she died on the day she was admitted.
In her memory, and to raise money for Hospice in the Weald, her colleagues decided it would be fitting to complete a 24-hour fundraiser by constantly pedalling in the chronic pain unit at Maidstone Hospital on June 21. You can donate here.
At the time of publication, the team had raised £2,400.
On the Just Giving page, Liv said: “Mary was an amazing friend, colleague, wife and mother. Her loss is felt by everyone around her, showing the impact she had on everyone’s lives.”
