Holland Park’s Dawn Forester has living wake after terminal cancer diagnosis

A suburban Brisbane icon has been around since fridges had ice bricks to keep things cool and toilets were outdoor sawdust pits. With just two weeks to live, she decided to have a living farewell.

Dawn Forester, 77, has lived in Holland Park for 70 years.

Dawn Forester has been around since fridges had ice bricks to keep things cool and toilets were outdoor sawdust pits.

The 77-year-old mother of two girls has lived in the same house in Holland Park for 70 years.

Unlike many, she will get to say goodbye to those she loves before she dies.

A heartbreaking terminal cancer diagnosis gave her just two weeks to live.

“I’m not having a wake or funeral,” Ms Forester said.

“It was my friends’ idea for a celebration party and I felt it was very fitting.

“To have everyone together to chat about the good times, old times and share all our stories. All made from love.”

Family and friends of the beloved Holland Park community member gathered at Cafe Dolce on Saturday for a living farewell.

A social media post invited locals to attend Cafe Dolce to share memories and love with Dawn Forester before she dies.

The post received dozens of comments for the woman who is well known around the suburb in Brisbane’s south.

Dawn Forester attended her celebration of life on Saturday February 18. Picture: Supplied

“It’s a burden to know when your time might be up,” Donna, Ms Forester’s neighbour of 18 years, said.

“I wanted to distract her with a task; what’s a better way than with a party to show her she is loved by all?

“Why wait till she’s gone to do that?”
Ms Forester lived through World War II when army huts were dotted around the suburb.

She said she saw Holland Park grow and change and become the suburb that it was today.

“She was here when fridges had ice bricks to keep things cool and toilets were outdoor sawdust pits,” Donna said.

“She’s raised two daughters during her time and has raised both predominantly on her own.

“As a single mum she has always worked, both in employment and volunteering and at times she was working two jobs to ensure she got by.”

Local legend Dawn Forester. Picture: Supplied

Known for getting up at the crack of dawn to go walking, some affectionately believe she her name rings true.

“She has walked everywhere her whole life. Even walking out to Mount Gravatt (for) groceries on foot,” Donna said.

“She worked in a cardboard factory as a youth, before working as a lolly pop lady and in various cleaning jobs.”

After avoiding hospital for many years, Dawn’s diagnosis came as a shock to those around her.

Dawn Forester and some local children at her home of 70 years in Holland Park. Picture: Supplied

“She was told she has a maximum two months if she is lucky,” Donna said.

“She hadn’t been to a hospital for 40 years, she had avoided them. So this was a big shock.

“Early prevention is key with cancer, don’t avoid the doctors just because it’s something you feel will be OK.

“She was always a hard worker. She’s always given more than she took, and always been there to support others.”

Mrs Forester walks past the Dolce Cafe three times a day and has made and met many friends over the years on her travels.

“Community, what we call ‘common unity’, is what we talk about at the cafe,” Donna said.

Donna invited locals to share love and memories with Dawn and to “celebrate Dawn before she passes”, helping her to take part in her ‘common unity’ one last time.