Two months after it officially opened, the Jean Pockett cancer wing at Greenslopes Private Hospital is now full swing.
Named after wartime widow Jean Pockett, the wing is part of Greenslopes Private Hospital‘s $72 million expansion, which also features oncology and haematology services, 64 rooms and two wards.
Known for her resilience, determination, dry sense of humour, Mrs Pockett, a Coorparoo resident, was a familiar fixture at the Greenslopes Private Hospital as a volunteer for more than 40 years.
Mrs Pockett founded the Gallipoli Medical Research Foundation (GMRF), which aims to study and find cures for the most devastating illnesses affecting men and women. The GMRF’s headquarters is also at the Greenslopes Private Hospital.
The widow was 96 years old when she passed away after a year of living in care. She left most of her estate to the foundation, enabling the organisation to thrive despite losing its founder.
“Jean would be looking down with a big smile on her face and I know she would be absolutely thrilled. She was a big supporter of cancer research so I think this link is very special,” GMRF Chief Executive Officer Miriam Dwyer and Mrs Pockett’s close friend said of The Jean Pockett wing.
Ms Dwyer described her friend as an institution and was regarded as royalty.
“The chef would make her favourite meals and she was definitely spoilt and if she wasn’t, she’d make sure we heard about it,” her friend said with amusement.
Ms Dwyer recalled joining Mrs Pockett for the ANZAC centenary in Gallipoli in 2015, upon the invitation of the Australian Government.
“Jean absolutely loved it. She was one of 10 war widows who were invited as guests of the Australian Government and she was the oldest at 91, so she loved all the attention.”
“She was a really fabulous person and would love the fact that her legacy is continuing on at Greenslopes Private Hospital.”