Q 2 July 1928 – 15 October 2023 Q
Founder of Helderberg Hospice Sr Patricia Pigeon will be sorely missed by the community she served for so many years. Her compassion and care for people facing life-limiting illnesses inspired this remarkable woman to rally a small group of volunteers, doctors, pharmacists, and local businesspeople to open a hospice in Somerset West dedicated to serving people of the Helderberg. There are few people in this world who follow words with action, and Sr Pat had a profound impact on all who met her.
Sr Liz Flack, one of the people involved from the outset, together with Sr Pat, attended a talk in Cape Town presented by Dame Cicely Saunders, founder of the modern hospice movement in the UK. Sr Liz fondly remembers those early days:
“Initially, with a group of us volunteer medical staff, Pat organised visits to patients in their home, which she coordinated from the boot of her car. At her instigation a meeting was held with Somerset West town councillors and leading members of the community, and following many discussions Helderberg Hospice was established.”
The first chairman of the Helderberg Hospice board, Mike Kleyn, recalled: “I first met Pat when she was working for St Luke’s Hospice as an extension of its service to Somerset West and surroundings. It’s a tribute to her vision and energy that within two years our own hospice was established. She was warm, compassionate and very determined to bring the best palliative care to the Helderberg basin.”
Martin Lund, another former chairman, said: “Pat was one of the most gentle and caring people I ever met, and I have met many! No-one escaped the embrace of that open-faced smile, with a gurgle-giggle backing and twinkle-eyed delight at meeting you. And she engaged you. She was sincerely interested in you and your life, no matter who you may be. (That’s before she gently led you into a little chat about hospice!) Helderberg Hospice cannot be separated from Pat Pigeon nor she from it. But it happened only because of Pat’s steel-fisted determination. That drove her vision, challenged all opposition, and converted doubters and even doomsayers to become enthusiastic supporters.”
Julian Weil, current chairman of the board, who worked with and knew Pat for more than 30 years, shared: “My abiding memories of Pat are her strength of character and compassion for people, which drove her to become a nurse to serve humanity and eventually to start Helderberg Hospice; we owe her a huge debt of gratitude.”
Keith Davies, who served as treasurer and finance director for more than three decades, initially on the executive committee before there was a board of directors, remembers:
“At an executive committee meeting back in 1990, Pat advocated for the in-patient unit to be opened. As the treasurer, I believed we did not yet have sufficient working capital to do so. ‘No matter,’ said Pat, ‘the fairies will look out for us.’ Her positivity and wonderful Irish sense of humour won the day and the rest, as you know, is history.”
Sr Pat appointed Sr Gill Wasserfall as professional home-care nurse in 1996. The latter then went on to become CEO until 2013 and, now retired from nursing, she serves on the board of directors. Sr Gill recalled: “She had an endless supply of stories, anecdotes and an ability to extract compassionate humour out of so much that we did. Her Irish heritage and her training days in London all added colour to the stories. Her quiet ability to inspire and bring the best out in all of us who worked under her was remarkable. We would have been ashamed to give less!”
Sr Yvonne Banks, who worked with Sr Pat for many years, shared: “As everywhere else, here at Bridgewater Manor Pat made a big impact. She was chairperson of the management committee for many years. Her beautiful paper quilling cards and handmade gifts were much appreciated and admired.”
Former CEO Gail Sykes said: “Pat Pigeon was a force of nature with a huge heart and passion for palliative care.
“This passion drove her to start and develop an amazing service, led with care and compassion, which has served the Helderberg community for many years. She was always willing to discuss and guide anyone enquiring about palliative care and was very generous with sharing her experiences for the benefit of others.”
Rest in Peace Sr Patricia Mary Pigeon, your legacy survives you, and the hospice institution you founded will continue to impact the lives of those people who need it most for many years to come.
The memorial service will take place at All Saints Anglican Cathedral, 16 Oak Street, Somerset West on Friday 27 October at 10:00.
All are welcome.
Donations to Helderberg Hospice in lieu of flowers have been requested.
The service will be live-streamed for those unable to attend, on Facebook Live (facebook.com/helderberghospice/).
