Pictured in 2021 at Port Macquarie Community Health Centre with then Admin Support to Specialist Teams, Gillian Spence, is Judith Rieschke, a much-loved and respected member of the Port Macquarie Pink Ladies for the past 20 years.

Remembering a beautiful volunteer: Judith Rieschke

Oct 29, 2024

Port Macquarie has lost a cherished community figure with the passing of Judith Rieschke, a beloved member of the Port Macquarie Pink Ladies and dedicated volunteer at Port Macquarie Community Health Centre.

Judith’s warm spirit and commitment to service touched countless lives throughout her years of volunteering.

Born in Sydney, Judith grew up alongside her twin sister, Hilda. The twins, born on 29 February 1936, celebrated 20 leap-year birthdays together, sharing their 80th in 2016.

Judith started her volunteer service at Port Macquarie Base Hospital almost 20 years ago, dedicating nine of those years to the Medical Records Department where Hilda also volunteered; the pair giving four hours a week to the Medical Records team.

“Judith was an amazing team player and provided wonderful assistance in areas where the department had backlogs,” said Medical Records Manager Eva Grant.

“The medical records staff made long-term friendships with Judith.

“On top of this, Judith was a wonderful lady with incredible spirit.”

The sisters contributed much to the hospital community and were known for their kindness and dedication. Featured in a Port Macquarie News article in 2016, the octogenarians were known as much for their steadfast presence at the hospital as for their unique bond.

Hilda later volunteered in the hospital’s Fracture Clinic, and sadly passed away in 2019.

Judith then moved to Community Health in Morton Street in 2020 to support that site’s nursing and palliative care teams, where her compassion shone brightly.

She volunteered twice a week in recent years and was known at PMCH for her gentle humour, warmth and generosity.

Judith, who celebrated her 22^nd leap-year birthday this year, is survived by her sister Janette Sweeney.

The 88-year-old will be fondly remembered by friends, family, and colleagues at a celebration of her life, to be held at Hastings District Funerals, 118 Gordon Street, Port Macquarie, on Thursday 7 November at 10am. The service will be an opportunity for the community to farewell a remarkable woman who gave so much of herself to others.