Our People

Hospice stalwart calls it a day

• Howick and Pakuranga Times

A BITING career blow in her teens set Botany resident Elaine Dow on an unforgettable path of laughter and tears.

RETIRING: Hospice South Auckland chief executive Elaine Dow is looking forward to some rest and relaxation after 51 years in the health sector. Times file photo.

After a declined travel visa ended her dream of becoming an opera singer in the United Kingdom, the New Zealand-born registered nurse launched herself into working with the disabled and dying back in her homeland.

Ms Dow has been a field worker for the Crippled Children’s Society and has spent a number of years at different convalescent and palliative care homes for children and adults.

Now on the cusp of retirement, the Hospice South Auckland chief executive plans to spend more time with family and friends across the Tasman.

“I’m at an age where my friends and people [I love] need caring for. Basically I’m at the end of a most rewarding career.”

Reflecting on her 11 years’ employment at the Manurewa-based hospice, she recalls “lots of joy and lots of sadness”.

“I have no regrets about anything that I’ve done. I’ll miss the people, and being busy I suppose. When you’ve had this busy life, retiring is a bit like a loss.”

Helping the dying through to the end of their life journey has been a privilege, she says.

“It’s often a very difficult time for patients and families. It’s about making each day of each patient and family member’s life a good day. It’s knowing that you’re doing the best for them each day.”

There have been difficult times and tough choices to make, such as choosing between a dying relative and a young patient who was also reaching the end of her life.

“I chose to be a career person and not to get married and have a family,” says Ms Dow. “In this sort of work you put so much of yourself into it. I once went to 28 funerals in one year. It does give you a good understanding of people’s needs at that time in their life.”

Her last day as chief executive at the hospice is tomorrow.

After a 51-year working career, trips to Australia and continuing her love affair with opera are next on the agenda.

“I haven’t really got much planned, but I’m really looking forward to having a break,” she says.

“I enjoy going to the opera and I’m hoping that I might be able to form a music appreciation group. This last week is not easy, but you just get through it.”