Photo by : Sharyn Smart
Jo Seagar is well known for her passion as a cook but many people do not know about her other passion – Hospice.
In the 2014 New Years Honours she was privileged to be named a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to the community, including 15 years helping Hospice New Zealand.
“I’m as passionate about Hospice as I’m about cooking. I’ve been the Ambassador for all the Hospices in New Zealand since 1999. My job is to raise funds and awareness by just getting the message of Hospice out there. It’s all about a philosophy of care and living each moment surrounded by your loved ones.”
The philosophy behind Hospice and the level of care they received meant a lot to Jo and her family when her father was fighting for his life.
“I started volunteering at Hospice in 1999 shortly after the death of my father. Thanks to Hospice he was able to die peacefully at home surrounded by family.”