Recommended reading for a terminal cancer diagnosee

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An coworker’s mom has recently been diagnosed with terminal cancer. Her mom was born in Germany as a Catholic but, due to a “bad experience” and since moving to the U.S, has attended a Presbyterian church on and off most of her life. This woman is 80 years old and described by her daughter as a rigid German woman. My coworker has asked me for a book recommendation. Her mom is probably not open to talking about this issue openly, but my coworker feels she could just discreetly place the book in her mom’s room where she may pick it up on her own and privately read it.

My mom died several years ago and had such a tremendous sense of peace with her impending death. My coworker (not outwardly religious in any way, as far as I can tell) and I feel that her mother may be able to feel that same peace as she prepares to meet God.

Any suggestions? Thanks for your help.
 
I know this is a very hard time you all. I am spending time with my pew buddy as she is in the final stages of her terminal illness. I sat with her all day and finally she came back to us, looked at me and called my name. Very touching.

I’m not sure if this might help her but I have ewtn tv channel on in her room and she has her prayer book (very well used) next to her bed and has her rosary wrapped in her hand. I actually caught her feeling under the covers for it and placed it back inher hand and then she fell asleep again.

Has she asked to see the Priest?
 
Thanks to each of you for your responses.

As I’ve never met the woman who has received the diagnosis, all I can do is suggest a book or two to my coworker who is willing to quietly leave it at her mother’s house unannounced. While I’d prefer to recommend a Catholic book, I need to tread carefully as this woman would likely say she is not Catholic. I’ll take a look at a few books by Mother Teresa to see if there is one particularly suitable for this situation.

I’m just wondering if there isn’t some gentle, reflective book that would help this apparently hard woman think about her life and what it means and perhaps lead her to a full reunion with her original Catholic, or at least non-Catholic Christian, identity.

Again, thanks for any suggestions.
 
I don’t know if it’s gentle (it may not be appropriate at all), but the best thing I ever read concerning terminal illness is Tolstoy’s The Death of Ivan Illych. It’s a short story, about an upper-class Russian man and the progression of his terminal illness. Some parts are quite ugly–he treats his family badly, and they also don’t know how to deal with him. He is atheist, who makes his peace with God just before his death.

Wit, the play by Margaret Edson, about a woman dying of ovarian cancer is also wonderful. It’s more on the humorous/sarcastic side, but quite profound.

These may actually be better for your coworker to read, rather than her mother.

Something incorporating the Psalms is always a good choice.
 
C. S. Lewis work on grief and suffering.

Fr Benedict Groeschel’s work.
 
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