As you walk through the hallways of the main hospital at Northern Hospital Epping, you will notice the beautifully framed photographs of our staff doing what they do best; caring for each other and their patients. There is one such photo on the ground floor, close to the lifts, of three of our dedicated volunteers. And, while one of them is no longer with us, her gentle smile and the soulfulness of her eyes will be remembered by all who were privileged to make her acquaintance.

Joan Stroud was born in 1948 and passed away on 24 August 2024 after a relatively short battle with cancer. She was a volunteer until the end, and will be missed by Northern’s volunteer cohort, the volunteer services team, and the Foundation team. Joan’s gentle demeanor coupled with her sharp wit made her a friend to everyone. Her loyal service was appreciated by staff, patient and visitors alike. She was always willing to go above and beyond in her capacity as a volunteer, and was an all-round good human being.

Joan joined Northern Health as a volunteer in 2019 and has supported many areas of the hospital, including Women’s and Children’s Services where she put together the ‘green books’. She also looked after lost property for the Emergency Department and helped with HITH admin, and fundraising activities.

Henni Wade, Manager, Volunteer Services paid special tribute to Joan saying, “Joan was very crafty and her footy themed soft toys were popular with both adults and children. Joan was a fabulous help during COVID lockdowns and put together hundreds of COVID testing kits for the hospital and made ear savers and face masks for the community. She wanted to continue to give and help others wherever she could”.

“It brought much joy to Joan to help and care for others. Rest in peace our beautiful Joan. We will miss you”, said Henni.

Natalie Carroll, Volunteer Services Co-ordinator, knows how much Joan will be missed by her peers, particularly those who worked alongside her on a Thursday.

“Some Thursdays, they focused on their set tasks, while other days, they set aside their volunteering tasks to support each other through life’s journey.”

“Our volunteers have an amazing ability for fostering a safe and supportive community for one another. We were privileged to have Joan in our team. Her beautiful smile and her kindness will be missed by all she met and helped along the way”, said Natalie.

“Joan loved being a volunteer and was very dedicated to the role. She embodied what it means to be a volunteer. She was giving and selfless and always demonstrated the Northern Health values of safe, kind and together in her interactions”, reflects Pina Di Donato, Executive Director, Public Affairs and Foundation.

Joan’s photo will serve as a reminder of the wonderful person who gave of her time to walk the halls of Northern Health, looking for ways to contribute and to help others. If you happen to walk past Joan’s photo, take a moment to smile. She would love that!