My Dad and Mum – from Jo McCauley

Hello Jan! I am responding to your Memoriam notice in our local paper last week.It actually brought tears to my eyes as I knew both your parents & met you several times when you visited them @ Shoal bay. I seem to recall you had a little boy also.My name is Jo mcCauley & I was one of the local Community Nurses who helped bath Connie twice a week and I also nursed her on many occasions @ the little Hospital when she was admitted to give Ernie some respite.I had a great fondness for your Dad as he was so dedicated to her care & he could also tell her off when she became a bit frustrated or difficult over some trifling matter.He always made us a coffee after our home visit & Connie would look glamorous with her lipstick on & her turbin on her head.Usually her nails were painted a bright colour & she always had a good tan.She was such an attractive woman.I often wondered what she was like before the tumor.Perhaps you can fill me in.When we had her as an In- patient I remember Ernie coming every evening with her dinner & feeding her & settling her for the night. He would arrive in a little white van which of course suited her chair etc. Now days we have Handicap friendly cabs to do all that sort of transportation.There is so much more help & assistance available now for families caring for a disabled person in the home.Ernie had very little resources to call on.T hen when the local Hospital was under threat of being closed the local Community held meetings & protests & I always saw Ernie along with the rest of us voicing his dissatisfaction.Eventually it did close & I often wondered how he managed from then on.I am afraid I can’t relate any funny ditties about your Dad but I do know he had a heart of gold. Don’t be too sad Jan. I know he wouldn’t want that. We never tell our parents how much we love them when they are alive.It’s only when they are gone one realises how much they have given you. Do respond as I’d like to know more about where you are at with your life & what happened to Ernie & Connie later in life.I retired from Nursing when I turned 61 & it was a very hard decision to leave behind a profession which gave me so much.That was 4 yrs ago & now i am busy with 3 little Grandchildren which come & go amongst other interests of Bridge, travel, bush walking, Cardiac rehab volunteer,aerobics etc.In closing I have found a photo of Connie & me in the local Hospital. It is one of those old instamatic films so whether I could scan it I’m not sure. Will investigate. All the best & I hope you get lots of response. The local paper is like a Bible to this community so here’s hoping. Let me know. Jo