A life of generosity and community
Serge was a man who led by example. He was selfless, kind, clever, and gentle, dedicating his life to advocating for those in need and enriching his community. He was a teacher at Goodna State School and helped establish the Woogaroo Swim Club, which has served the community for over 40 years.
Even in later life, Serge’s passion for giving back endured. He co-founded The Woodsman, a native bee house company, not just as a business, but as a way to foster the preservation of native bee populations and raise awareness for their importance.
The power of being present
In 2021, Serge was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. After fighting through surgery and ten months of chemotherapy, scans in December 2021 showed the cancer had spread to his liver and kidneys; the diagnosis was terminal.
Following a stroke, Serge was admitted to Karuna’s care in March 2022. Though his family had not heard of us before, we stepped in to provide specialist palliative and end-of-life care for Serge at home.
A gentle and personal goodbye
In Serge’s final month, our at-home, end-of-life care was crucial. It allowed Serge and his family the precious chance to feel a semblance of normality, giving them space and time to say a gentle and personal goodbye on their own terms.
We understand that holistic support extends beyond nursing. Our multidisciplinary team offered a complete circle of care, including spiritual care, social work, and grief and bereavement counselling, ensuring the family’s needs were met in full.
Because of this seamless, compassionate support, Serge’s entire family were able to focus on Serge, cherishing the man who taught them the true meaning of giving back.
Continue Serge’s legacy of kindness
Serge taught his family that giving back is about working as a community. When you support Karuna, you ensure that every person with a life-limiting illness receives the kindness, dignity, and holistic support they deserve.
Show your support
By supporting Karuna, you help us to provide crucial services like spiritual care, social work, and grief and bereavement counselling free of charge to the community. Please consider ways to give and support people like Serge.
