News

Pianist, poet and storyteller: Hollywood farewells a great talent

May 22, 2019

Hollywood Private Hospital staff are bidding farewell to one of their favourite patients.

A talented pianist, poet and story teller, 99-year old Dorothy Lewis has caught the attention of staff, volunteers and patients during her hospital stay, which was the result of a fall at home.

Hollywood Director of Clinical Services, Karen Gullick, said Mrs Lewis played the piano almost every day she was in hospital.

Remarkably, the piano was donated to the hospital in 1921 so is believed to be just two years Mrs Lewis’ junior.

“She is incredibly talented and brought great joy to the staff, including on International Nurses Day when she played for staff on Sadlier Ward,” Karen said. “Mrs Lewis also shared some of her poems with us."

With just six weeks until her 100^th birthday, the mother of four, grandmother of 10 and great grandmother of 14 has lived a long and rich life. She puts her longevity down to a few key ingredients.

“The key is having a purpose in life, a loving family and enthusiasm,” Mrs Lewis said.

Mrs Lewis has no shortage of enthusiasm and has a loving and supportive family.

The near centenarian grew up in Nannup before moving to the Bunbury Convent where she lived between the age of 10 and 17.

“I spent most of my time studying and playing the piano,” Mrs Lewis said.

When Mrs Lewis turned 18, she returned to Nannup, taught piano and worked at a bush school in nearby Jarrahwood.

“I used to walk three miles to teach piano lessons and got paid three shillings,” She said.

Mrs Lewis went on to study at Claremont College before teaching children with special needs.

She taught at a number of metropolitan primary schools, including Rosalie, Scarborough, Doubleview and Dalkeith but also did stints in rural WA, including in Kojonup and Gnowangerup.

Mrs Lewis gave up teaching when she fell pregnant with her first child.

“I had wonderful golden years,” she said.

Later in life she travelled extensively, played bowls and lectured for Weight Watchers, a role she stayed in until she was 87 years old making her the oldest lecturer in the country.

Mrs Lewis will now move into a nursing home for the first time.  She plans to continue playing the piano, writing, knitting and playing cards.