Gordon Page was a man of quiet strength, deep values, and lifelong generosity. A dedicated supporter of Mary Potter Hospice, it was the only charity he ever backed — and when he passed away, he left a legacy gift in his Will to the place he and his family had come to hold so dear.
Gordon’s connection to the Hospice went back decades. A respected Mechanical Engineer, he worked well into his later years and even consulted on the installation of the lift in Mary Potter Hospice’s Inpatient Unit in Newtown. But it wasn’t just his professional ties that bonded him to the Hospice — it was personal too. Over the years, three of his and his wife Noelene’s sisters, and a brother-in-law, received end-of-life care there. “We seemed to be there all the time,” Noelene recalls. “That’s why it was so special to Gordon.”
When Gordon himself fell ill, the Mary Potter Hospice team was once again there — this time to care for him. After months of home visits, he spent his final week in the Inpatient Unit. “They were so kind, especially in Gordon’s last days,” Noelene says. “What would we have done without them? They were such a support.”
Gordon and Noelene were married for 56 years. “We had a wonderful life together. We were total soulmates and were known as Team Page,” Noelene shares. “I thank God for the Hospice. The care Gordon received was so much better than in hospital. He was a big man, and when he fell, the help was a huge relief. I stayed in his room and was cared for too — even receiving meals every day.”
Leaving a legacy to the Hospice was a natural decision for Gordon — one shaped by gratitude, love, and first-hand experience. Now, Noelene is continuing what he began, encouraging others to consider doing the same. “Do it,” she urges. “You might need them someday.”
A nurse by training, and later a teacher, Noelene has spent her life giving back — from her work at the Citizens Advice Bureau to her involvement in the Society for Research on Women. In retirement, she stays active with painting, Tai Chi, genealogy research, and her book club. But through it all, her passion for the Hospice has remained strong. “We’re lucky to have been in a position to leave a legacy,” she says. “I believe it’s everyone’s responsibility to have their affairs sorted. Not having a Will causes so many problems — I’ve had one since our daughter was born.”
Gordon Page’s legacy lives on — not just through the gift he left, but in the lives his story will continue to inspire.
A gift in your Will is a critical way for you to ensure that Mary Potter Hospice’s services remain available to all. Without such kindness, 1 in 7 patients wouldn’t receive essential care. Mary Potter Hospice is eternally grateful to people like Gordon and Noelene, plus so many other Camellia Heritage Club members, who continue to enable the work of the Hospice. For more information about Mary Potter’s Camellia Heritage Club or setting up a Will, please contact Ruchika Jayatilaka (ruchika.jayatilaka@marypotter.org.nz)