New book celebrates 35 years of Mary Potter Hospice

by MARY HOBBS
Mary Potter Hospice celebrated 35 years of its history with a book launch on November 20, at the Michael Fowler centre.

With You describes the progress the Little Company of Mary made with their hospice idea — from a ward in Calvary Hospital to the separate building in Main St, Newtown.
Sr Mary Scanlon said that although having their own building made things much easier, the values established with the original ward in Calvary Hospital still remain. She said Mary Potter wanted her sisters to have the most up-to-date nursing training available.
Sr Mary was responsible for nursing training at Calvary, and at the separate building. There were major developments in medicine, as well. Dr Michael Sheppard, who was with the original ward and moved with
them, was at the launch. He had come all the way from the United Kingdom for the occasion.
MC Ian Fraser described Sr Margaret Lancaster as a wonderful woman. He said that you “did not mess with her”.
Sr Margaret said it was wonderful to eventually have the dedicated building established.
She said that “there were lots of miracles on the way”.
Sr Margaret was determined to have the service free to the patient, even though the service in Calvary had a cost to it. This necessitated major fundraising.
Some of the fundraisers in the book were at the launch and spoke. Lady Norma Beattie described her efforts, and finished by announcing that she had bought six copies for her children, “for Christmas
presents, you understand”. She encouraged others to do likewise, or similar.
In addition to fundraising, financial management and management strategy plans were also necessary.
The hospice was set up as a charitable trust and is no longer under the direct control of the Little Sisters, but they continue to be represented on the boards.