VALE: Dr. Joan

Yesterday I attended the funeral of Dr Joan Curtis (Esser) I had know Dr Joan literally all my life. She delivered my brother Peter in 1967. Joan was an example of somebody who interwove her professional career as a Doctor into her fierce support for her local community and those who lived in it especially those who were doing it tough. She had a strong intellect and as was said during the funeral she did not suffer fools gladly. However behind her formidable personality beat an empathetic heart. When her youngest son Jonathen was diagnosed with autism she went on a life long journey to understand it and to create an environment for those with Autism and their parents to live their best lives with dignity and respect. She also handed back a well earned Australia Day honour because she was outraged and ashamed at how asylum seekers and refuges were being treated in detention centres. During the funeral a recently discovered letter that she wrote to herself as a seventeen year old was read out. It was beautifully written. I would be in no doubt that the seventeen year old Joan would have been so proud of the person she became and the many things she achieved during her long life. She never just talked about the importance of community she lived it her entire life. RIP Joan. A life truely well lived.