A CARE worker who died suddenly of leukaemia earlier this year will be forever remembered at her place of work.

A ward at Rydal Care Home in Darlington has been named after doting grandmother Marion Phillips, who made a huge impression there in the two years she spent caring for elderly residents.

Mrs Phillips, a mother of four and grandmother of four boys, was diagnosed with leukaemia after being taken ill suddenly on April 25, slipping away just 48 hours later.

She was aged 52, with four young grandchildren, Tommy and Declan, both three, Caleb, five and Kai, eight.

Her daughter, Kim Wheeler, said: “She was the doting nana to four boys and was a true diamond in every way.”

The dementia care ward at Rydal, where Mrs Phillips, of Bedford Street, Darlington, worked, has now been named after her. A plaque was unveiled by Ms Wheeler last week.

Care home manager Jason Gates said: “It came as a shock to everyone at the home when Marion passed away. The residents were all asking where she was.

“I had been in the process of trying to get her promoted because she was very, very good at her job. She was always coming up with ideas to improve the lives of the people who live in the home.

“She always had high standards and had a very dry sense of humour. She always kept them engaged and had a no-nonsense approach but was very kind with it.”

Ms Wheeler added: “Originally she wanted to be a nurse, but she had four children and that kept her busy. She had always wanted to work with older people, though.”