Dedicated nurse ‘championed the underprivileged’

Jacky had colourful character - and language

A devoted nurse remembered for her passion for the job and the colourful comment which ultimately ended her career has died aged 61.

Jacky Moskovits was renowned for putting the patients at Kent and Canterbury Hospital above all else during her many years working for the NHS.

So invested was she in ensuring they were given the best care, that when much-maligned trust chief executive Matthew Kershaw departed his role in 2018, she posted on Facebook: “The d******d has left the building.”

But the words landed her before a disciplinary board and eventually earned her the sack for bringing the organisation into disrepute.

Jacky, who died on August 29 after a short battle with cancer, never got over the sad end to her long career, says her husband, retired teacher John Mitchell. “It hugely upset her because it robbed her of a job she was so dedicated to,” he said.

“It took its toll on her mentally because all she cared about was what was best for patients. “But she had huge support and there was a widespread condemnation of her sacking.” Jacky was a mum of four from her first marriage, but she and John, 67, who taught PE at Simon Langton Boys, had been together for 23 years. Earlier this year she discovered lumps in her abdomen, which were later diagnosed as an aggressive neuroendocrine tumour.

“Despite being so ill, she remained stoic and always had the view that other patients were more important than her,” said John.

“She had great compassion and was born to be a nurse, so

it is something of a cruel irony that she was taken way too soon.”

Jacky recently had an operation which it was hoped would buy her more time, but she died just a week later.

Jacky will be remembered for her colourful hair and outfits, which she and John both donned at the many live gigs and music festivals they attended up and down the country. They lived near the Kent and Canterbury and were regulars at the Old City pub in Oaten Hill Place.

“Jacky was a lifelong Labour

supporter and championed the underprivileged,” said John. “We had a whirlwind 23 years together but only got married last year in a beautiful service at Port Lympne.

“We chose the venue because we are avid supporters of the Aspinall Foundation and its conservation work for endangered species.

One of the many who remembers Jacky with affection is hospital campaigner and former Royal College of Nursing steward Peggy Pryor, who condemned her sacking at the time. “You could not have found a more dedicated and experienced nurse, which the trust could ill-afford to lose,” she said. “I still remember Jacky coming straight off a night shift and jumping onto our campaign bus to go to Downing Street.

“It is just so sad that she has passed away well before her time.”

Jacky was laid to rest on Tuesday in a rainbow-coloured coffin at the River View Natural Burial Ground near Sittingbourne, with a small gathering of family and close friends.

The family is asking that any donations be made to the Aspinall Foundation.

Visit the charity’s website at www.aspinallfoundation.org or call 08448 424647.

Jacky Moskovits and John Mitchell on their wedding day

Former nurse Jacky Moskovits has died