FAMILY and friends will say a final goodbye on Thursday to Anne Meister.
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The 72-year-old was a trailblazer, a successful fundraiser and campaigner for improved renal services and a specialised heart lab, and a volunteer.
In her private life, Anne was a much loved family member and a valued friend.
Anne lost her battle with cancer on April 13.
Her funeral service is at 10am tomorrow at St Thomas' Anglican Church.
Donations to the NSW Cancer Council in Anne's memory are requested in lieu of floral tributes.
Hastings Macleay Clinical Network director of renal services, Dr Mohan Vattekad, paid tribute to Anne's unconditional support and dedication to improved renal services.
"This whole town owes her what we have today," Dr Vattekad said in reference to our renal services.
"She has left such a good legacy."
Mid North Coast Local Health District chief executive Stewart Dowrick recalls coming across Anne some 15 years ago.
"She was, at the time, the vanguard of those working with local health authorities to seek funding that would allow such services as renal dialysis to be offered to people closer to home," Mr Dowrick said.
"Her support and that of others was important in the development of many of the services we see in the region today.
"In more recent years she has been a passionate supporter of organ donation and a local advocate for increasing donation rates.
"In such a sensitive subject she was thoughtful and considerate in her willingness to speak with others about the subject."
Port Macquarie-Hastings mayor Peter Besseling said Anne was strong-willed, enthusiastic, personable with an enormous amount of empathy and a great sense of humour.
He said: "Anne Meister just happened to be one of the most persistent and successful local health advocates we have seen in the Port Macquarie-Hastings area.
"Despite an early 'sounding-out' period, a strong friendship was forged with Anne during our work together on local health outcomes," he said.
"She was fundamental to having a new renal unit established in PMBH, complete with new equipment.
"Anne came on board with the Heart Support Group to help in our campaign for a cardiac cath lab, which was again successful with funding announced in late 2010.
"She will be sadly missed and our community owes a great debt of gratitude for her success in helping achieve significant improvement to our health services."
Anne's community mindedness extended to many groups from the Rotary Club of Port Macquarie West to St Thomas' Anglican Church soup kitchen, Sailability and Heart Support Australia Port Macquarie Hastings Branch.
Anne was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia in 2002 for service to the Port Macquarie community as a contributor to the establishment of the Hastings Limited Care Dialysis Centre.