By Trish Ragbirsingh Jennifer Masefield, wife of Governor Thorold Masefield, was there to help the Patients Assistance League and Service (PALS) light up Washington Mall yesterday.

Mrs. Masefield, who is the patron of PALS, flicked the switch at the official lighting of the organisation's third annual memorial Christmas tree.

"This is our tree for remembering those whom we loved and cared for and who still lie within our hearts,'' Mrs. Masefield told those who gathered to support the cause.

Mrs. Masefield said she was interested in the hospice movement and tried to accompany PALS during visits to patients in their homes at least five times a year.

She said PALS saved the Government millions of dollars by nursing people in all stages of cancer in their homes.

Decorations -- either glass bulbs or small doves -- with memorial tags are available from PALS volunteers at the tree on the Reid Street level of the mall so that a message may be hung on the tree in memory of those lost to cancer.

"The tree will be full by Christmas. Some of them will make you weep,'' said Ann Smith Gordon, president and chief executive officer of PALS.

She said the decorations were a way for people who have lost loved ones to cancer to express their feelings.

"This is not a fund raiser,'' Mrs. Masefield said. "There is no cost. "This is just PALS' way to give anyone the opportunity to come and share their love in this very symbolic way.''