Bequests in action

Jennifer Judy Gordon Memorial Scholarship

Silver Chain is greatly appreciative of Jennifer Gordon's bequest that allowed the establishment of this education fund. The fund assists with skill advancement resulting in highly trained nurses, to allow Silver Chain to deliver an optimal quality of care.

 

Recipients

 

Tracey-Lee Maddox	Assistance to complete Masters of Palliative Care Stage 2 and 3.
Linda Minutillo	Assistance in completing Graduate Certificate in Health
Belinda Hughes	Reimbursement of costs towards attending The Heart and Practice of Child Centered Play Therapy / Advance Play Therapy Practices: Helping Children Heal and Grow (Play Therapy Australia) 2010.
Jane Brown	Assistance to attend Palliative Care Nurses of Australia 3rd Biennial Conference 2010.
Karen Neale	Assistance to complete Graduate Certificate in Business from Curtin University, 2010.
Vic Dwyer	Assistance to attend the 8th International Conference on Grief and Bereavement in Contemporary Society, Melbourne, Victoria in July 2008.
Jennifer Houghton	Full conference cost met to 9th Australian Palliative Care Conference, Melbourne, Victoria in August 2007.
Lorraine Gray	Full conference cost met to 3rd National Motor Neurone Disease Conference, Fremantle, WA in June 2007.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jennifer Gordon 1952 - 2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Background
Jennifer Gordon died of pancreatic cancer in mid July 2005 and in her last days was cared for by nursing staff at Silver Chain's Hospice Care Service, Kingsley. Jennifer made a bequest to Silver Chain and it was decided to establish an inaugural scholarship fund in her memory for Hospice Care Service staff.

Jennifer’s story
Jennifer was born in 1954 in South Africa and immigrated to Victoria in 1970. Jenn was not one to let the grass grow under her feet, always striving for a better job. She started out in an estate agency followed by data processing in a bank. Wanting adventure, Jenn joined TAA as an Air Hostess. It was with TAA she got the travel-bug and travelled overseas. Returning to Australia, Jenn showed her versatility from printing to co-ordinator of Carols by Candlelight at the Myer Music Bowl. Then, cosmetic sales trainer for Paris based Lancôme.

 

Following that Jenn moved to WA to be with her family and was first-floor manager with the Esplanade Hotel. She then moved onto selling wine (one of her passions). Later Jenn joined 6KY as marketing & promotions officer. In 1990 Jenn joined the Public Service and was the first female Sheriff for Dept of Justice. Other roles included Manager with Crown Law and State Supply Departments.

 

In 1995 Jennifer joined KEMH as a development officer and two years later became promotion officer with Office of Senior Interests. Her time included stints with Fair Trading and Housing & Works before spending her remaining years with Department of Agriculture in various roles related to communications & marketing.

 

On a personal level, despite her relative short stature, Jenn was larger than life - never afraid to call things as she saw them. A nervous work colleague had just come back from a hair appointment and was being congratulated for the ‘new look’, until Jenn came in and said: “My god! What have done to your hair?”

 

When we think of Jenn the four C’s come to mind: Character, Commitment, Compassion and Courage. A Chief Executive Officer once made the mistake of introducing Jenn as Jenny at a meeting. He was quickly reminded that her name was Jennifer and that she did not like being called Jenny.

 

Jenn was very loyal to her family and generous to her friends. She always acknowledged any support or help she received and this is exemplified by her bequest.