Founder honoured with hospice retreat Hospice pays special tribute to Sister Frances
A NEW quiet room at the Toowoomba Hospice was in keeping with the philosophy of the palliative care facility’s founder, the late Sister Frances Flint.
Not that Sr Frances was ever quiet about her passionate support and drive for the construction and then running of the hospice which cares for the terminally ill.
However, the manner in which the Sr Frances Retreat came about was very much in line with the direction which she had for the hospice.
“The quiet room came about through a consumer forum,” hospice chairman Graham Barron OAM explained.
“We asked the families of the loved ones who had stayed with us how we could improve things, what they wanted, and they told us it was a quiet area where they could sit and contemplate in a peaceful setting.”
The Sr Frances Retreat patio area with lounge chairs overlooking the hospice’s garden was built by Jason Bailey of Precision Patios.
Mr Bailey’s mother had been a resident of the hospice three years ago.
Mr Barron said the Toowoomba Hospice wouldn’t be in existence without Sr Frances’s “initiative and drive”.
Sr Frances died in August 2012 but, fortunately, lived to see the opening of her prized project.
“I’m sure she’d be pleased with what we’re doing,” Mr Barron said.
“This area used to be just grass but with the help of the Rotary clubs of Garden City and Toowoomba South and with money from the Eternal Tree at Burstows Funerals we now have this lovely space.
“It’s a lovely setting for the families at those times that if they get emotional they can come out here to a quiet space.”
The Sr Frances Retreat was officially opened by Bishop William Morris, a close confidante of Sr Frances.
“Bishop Bill was the first person Sr Frances spoke to about the hospice,” Mr Barron said.
Photo: Nev Madsen