Bundaberg NewsMail: Memories of devoted nurse and caring mum

A woman – with an infectious laugh who “loved Elvis, Princess Di and bubble bath”, but was not afraid to tell a doctor off – was remembered yesterday. Cath Connolly and two of her sister’s best friends, Becca Farrell and Sharon Reibel, said many people knew and loved Jude Connolly, who was killed in an accident on Saturday night. Ms Farrell said Jude was a precise nurse who ensured everything was always done properly. “She used to keep the doctors in line – she had one answer her back with a “yes, doctor” once,” Ms Farrell said.

“The doctors really respected her, if she called about a patient she was concerned about, they would come running.” Ms Farrell said her colleague was also well liked by her patients. “She really did care, it was not just a job to her,” she said. Jude was also a mentor to many, taking plenty of new nurses under her wing. Her sister Cath said Jude’s son was the centre of her life.

“Ben was her world – they weren’t like mother and son, they were a team,” she said. “Whatever Ben wanted to do, she supported him – she was his best friend.” Cath said her sister had a knack for making her surroundings beautiful. “The moment she went anywhere she unpacked and she had things looking pretty,” she said. The Connolly sisters grew up in Charleville and Roma.

From an early age, Jude had a way of charming people. “She could be really wicked, very beautifully,” Cath said. “She had a way with people, she could read them – the thing she liked most in the world was people.” Ms Reibel said her friend had started painting pictures again recently and she made a wonderful roast lamb. But all three women agreed, Judes best quality was something special they could take comfort in now.

“She always could find the good in something,” Ms Reibel said. “Sometimes it was difficult to see good in people and she would search and search for a reason why something had happened – a good reason. “And if not – at least they had good teeth,” she added quoting her best friend. Jude Connolly’s funeral will be held tomorrow morning, at the St Mary’s Catholic Church.