Dr john, you’ve asked listeners for their Humble Hero and I need to tell you about my hero, Aunty Edna. I’m 70 years old now but every time I think of special people in my life I just keep going back to my incredible Aunty Edna, or Edna as she became known.

Going right back to my toddler years, this incredible lady nursed my frail single parent mother, looked after me and my sister, as well as her own healthy but selfish son, and also her daughter Laurel who had severe cerebral palsy and suffered daily epileptic seizures - and our Edna did this all on her own.

That wasn’t easy financially either so Edna then took in boarders to help make ends meet, and taught Sunday school and cooked meals for the aged and infirm in ou8r country town. Then Edna had to move back to Sydney to care for her frail dad and dementing mother. When they died and because my mum was working 6 days a week to keep a roof over our head, Edna moved back again and became our carer.

With Edna’s help we survived; we finished school on the central coast and after many wayward years I settled down and became a builder. But I could never get over the incredible sacrifices Edna had made to get me through. As soon as I could afford it, I built a new pair of units, one for my family and one for Edna. Then her daughter died, Edna deteriorated so it was our turn to look after her.

Her selfish son turned up one day, took over her home and finances, limited the number of visitors, including me, “cleaned” out her cupboards and had a garage sale of her life! Her deterioration accelerated, I think her heart broke. Edna was put into hospital and her son went home to his family.

That was the beginning of the end for Edna but I just have to share the final moments of my humble hero. Not too long ago, I sat with Edna and held her hand as she died, and this bravest, most generous, uncomplaining, honest, loving and caring person I had ever known, looked across at me, smiled and thanked ME for all I had done.

I swear the staircase would have been lit, and the angels singing as she ascended and St. Peter would have welcomed her as this humblest of heroes passed through the gates. Vale Edna. xo