Although she never had any children Philippa Reiss was always labelled the mother of her immediate family.
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Each year she was sent a Mother's Day card from her own mother.
Ms Reiss said caring for other people is something which has always come naturally to her.
She spent 25 years in Sydney before relocating in Port Macquarie in 1998.
Ms Reiss has been involved in Leisure Link, the CWA, Douglas Vale Historic Homestead and Vineyard, Alzheimer's Australia, The Village Singers and at the Governor’s Retirement Resort.
“I am fortunate to be able to do voluntary work in the community I love,” she said.
In 2010 Ms Reiss’ mother was diagnosed with dementia and needed full time care.
Ms Reiss helped her mother move from Glen Innes to Port Macquarie.
The relocation involved clearing and selling the family home.
Ms Reiss said it was a difficult process as her mother was very attached to a lot of the furniture in the house which her husband had hand made from 1948.
The furniture was distributed between family members so that it would still be present when her mother went to visit them.
Ms Reiss now helps other elderly people sort and organise items who are moving house, to a retirement village or downsizing.
She said she helps a lot of women who have had some form of trauma in their lives.
Ms Reiss said she has worked with women who have lost children and they will hold on to clothes because they find it too hard to part with them.
She said it’s important to talk to them and reorganise items through a slow process.
Ms Reiss said for some people she is their only source of social contact.
If you would like more information about household organising contact Philippa Reiss on 6583 9780 or 0401 091 512.