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GEORGE NEWS & VIDEO - A sorrowful scene played out in front of the George Hospital on Wednesday morning, 19 August, when the Avbob hearse carrying the body of Sister Stephanie Kiewiet passed through a guard of honour that her colleagues had formed in the parking area.
Kiewiet (50), the first healthcare worker of the George Hospital and in the Garden Route district to have died of Covid-19, was laid to rest in the George Cemetery. She passed away on Sunday 16 August.
Her colleagues threw rose petals on the hearse as it passed. As they were waiting for it to arrive, they stood singing. One of the songs had the message 'You are a King's child' and 'the sun will tomorrow shine again'. Her colleagues from the emergency unit fell in behind the hearse and an ambulance followed. When it had passed, some lingered, overcome by emotion and comforting one another.
According to Western Cape Health district spokesperson Nadia Ferreira, Kiewiet worked in the Emergency Centre where she touched the lives of many patients and colleagues. "She was extremely hardworking and dedicated to her patients and will always be remembered for her deep compassion," she said.
Sister Stephanie Kiewiet was a dedicated employee of the Health Department for 31 years.
"This is an especially difficult time for so many who knew Steph and loved her so dearly. She will remain eternal in our hearts. We express our heartfelt condolences to her family."
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Ferreira said Kiewiet started at George Hospital as a student nurse in January 1989. She qualified as staff nurse in 1991, professional general nurse in 1996, midwife in 1997 and received the nursing administration qualification in 2009. She went on to complete her specialist training in trauma and emergency care in March 2013.
Saying their last good-byes.Photo: George Hospital
Kiewiet would have celebrated her 51st birthday on 10 September.
An acquaintance wrote on Facebook, "The lady will leave a huge gap in the emergency rooms at George Hospital. She was always so calm and compassionate. I never heard her complain, one would always find her next to the patients, dedicated, and doing what she did best ... serving others."
On social media, many patients and colleagues expressed heartfelt praise and condolences.
Photo gallery: Guard of honour for George Hospital sister
Kiewiet's family did not want to comment when contacted by the newspaper. She leaves behind her husband, children and grandchildren. A total of 79 staff members of George Hospital, of whom 24 are healthcare workers, have contracted Covid-19 up until last week. Of these, 13 are still active cases and one healthcare worker is being treated in ICU.
Sister Stephanie Kiewiet was a dedicated employee of the Health Department for 31 years.
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