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Grandma dies one week after cancer diagnosis 'from washing husband's asbestos-covered clothes 30 years ago'

Veronica Kidman's family are searching for answers as they believe that regularly hand-washing her husband's work overalls, who was a BT field engineer, exposed her to deadly asbestos

[Veronica Kidman with her husband Ian]

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Veronica Kidman died of mesothelioma, asbestos-related cancer, after years of washing her husband's work clothes(Image: Irwin Mitchell / SWNS)

A wife's everyday chore may have been behind her tragic death decades later as she died of asbestos-related cancer, her family believes.

Veronica Kidman, died just a week after being diagnosed with mesothelioma, an extremely rare, aggressive cancer which is linked to asbestos, back in January. Her grieving family believes she unknowingly inhaled asbestos fibres while hand-washing the dust-covered overalls of her late husband Ian, who worked as a BT field engineer between 1971 and 1989.

Before her death, former medical secretary Veronica, 72, recalled how Ian would regularly return home with a great deal of dust covering his clothes and hair.

[Veronica Kidman]

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A heartbroken family believe decades-old asbestos exposure may have claimed Veronica Kidman's life(Image: Irwin Mitchell / SWNS)

His work clothes were often so filthy she had to scrub them several times a week, with the family believing fibres brought home from his job ultimately caused the grandmother-of-threes illness more than three decades later. His clothes would get so dirty and dusty she often had to scrub them three times over.

Ian's job saw him sent to homes, businesses and BT repair centres where he fixed telephone and switchboard faults. His family believes he may have worked in buildings which contained asbestos-lagged pipes as he installed phone lines and further fear he came into contact with asbestos resin during his job.

Following Veronica's death, the family think fibres brought home from these site visits may have caused her fatal illness decades later. Now, her children Becky Irwing, 41, and Gareth Kidman, 44, are appealing to anyone who worked alongside their father to come forward with information about the conditions he was working in.

[Veronicas family are now using Action Mesothelioma Day (3/7) to warn of the continued risk of asbestos.]

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Veronicas family are now using Action Mesothelioma Day to warn of the continued risk of asbestos.(Image: Irwin Mitchell / SWNS)

Becky said: Mum was always cheerful and full of energy. She loved keeping busy and attended regular classes at the local leisure centre. She loved Pilates and enjoyed weekly walks with a local Wymondham walking group as well as getting out with her beloved dogs Archie and Monty who she adored.

The family first realised something was wrong when Veronica, who had always led an active lifestyle, began suffering with persistent tiredness. She added: I think thats why we knew something wasnt right when she started becoming tired so often, although at the time we had no idea what was causing it. We barely had time to process her diagnosis before she was sadly taken from us.

Veronica had experienced abdominal pain, lower back pain, bloating and fatigue for around two years before being diagnosed with mesothelioma on January 8. She died in hospital on January 15. Reflecting on losing her mum, Becky said: Saying goodbye to mum was incredibly painful. Her condition deteriorated so quickly and I try my best to remember her for the happy times we shared, not how fragile she became towards the end.

I know dad would have been devastated to learn that his work may have contributed to mums illness if he were still here today. It wasnt his fault. Like so many others, he should have been properly protected. Sadly, the mistakes of the past continue to affect families like ours many years later. Were hoping that anyone who knew mum and dad can help us piece together answers.

[Veronica's children are appealing for anyone who worked with their dad to come forward]

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Veronica's children are appealing for anyone who worked with their dad to come forward(Image: Irwin Mitchell / SWNS)

Ian and Veronica married in November 1977, living together in Epping, Essex. They moved to Mildenhall in Suffolk later on, but in July 2014, Ian suddenly died following a brain haemorrhage. In 2017, Veronica retired to Wymondham, Norfolk, with her beloved dog Archie.

After she began experiencing symptoms, she attended A&E multiple times in November and December 2025 with issues impacting her immune system. A CT scan in December found a mass on her abdomen, with a biopsy taken on December 23. She was admitted to hospital on January 6, 2026, and diagnosed with mesothelioma on January 8. Just seven days later, on January 15, she died in hospital.

Veronicas family are sharing her story to mark Action Mesothelioma Day and hope former colleagues can help establish how she was exposed. Natalia Rushworth-White, an asbestos-related disease lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing Veronicas family, said: Veronicas death is another tragic reminder of the terrible legacy asbestos has created. While many people associate asbestos with heavy industry, its use was widespread across many occupations as well as in residential and public buildings.

We are also seeing a rise in the number of people, mostly women, being affected through secondary exposure such as washing work clothes. Even though Ians work took place in the 1970s, the risks of asbestos were still well-known and employers had a duty to ensure the safety of their employees.

Asbestos continues to pose a very real risk across the UK, and Action Mesothelioma Day serves as a powerful reminder of the devastating impact asbestos exposure continues to have on families. If any of Ians former workmates could come forward with information about the conditions he faced, it could prove vital in establishing how Veronica was exposed and would mean a great deal to their loved ones.

The family are keen to hear from anyone who worked at the Chingford, Leytonstone, Mile End or Walthamstow telephone exchanges while Ian was employed there. A BT Group spokesperson said: We are very sorry to hear about the passing of Mrs Kidman. We have not received any legal claim from Mrs Kidmans family, so it would not be appropriate for us to comment further.

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