After a long battle with cancer a member of the PD family, Jenny Petterson, passed away on June 30. Jenny was a brave, remarkable lady, with whom the Pacific Dragons were blessed to share many happy and special times with.
Jenny Petterson
Friend, Sister, Paddler, Wife, Part of the Pacific Dragons Family and a Very Special Lady.
"What we have once enjoyed we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes a part of us." ~ Helen Keller
After a long battle with cancer a member of the PD family, Jenny Petterson, passed away on June 30. Jenny was a brave, remarkable lady, with whom the Pacific Dragons were blessed to share many happy and special times with.
Jenny started Dragon Boating with the Pink Ladies as part of her treatment and recovery from breast cancer. She introduced her beloved Geoff and Joanne to paddling and the inseparable trio have become a very special part of our club, our family. We will now come together to comfort Geoff and Joanne, to help them remember and celebrate Jenny. We will ensure that they have love and inspiration on the horizon because that is what she would want.
Spending time with Jenny was like warm sunshine smiling on you, a breath of fresh air, a happy day dream or a fond memory. Paddling with her was inspiring, fun and always special. Her presence both on and off the water will be greatly missed, but often remembered.
Jenny has been a key member of our CNY, State and National titles Dragon Boat crews for several years, a NSW & Australian representative and medallist many times over. She was a keen outrigger and completed the 111km Hawkesbury Classic in 2006, many ocean and sprint races. She was an excellent stroke, her power, fitness and endurance made her a strong addition to any crew. She had the proud honour of being invited to be the Australian flag bearer at the Asian Championships in Macau 2006.
Off the water, Jenny loved a good party (often in costume with Geoff and Jo); looked fab in an orange wig; made the best birthday cakes and along with Joanne gifted many of her teammates with a special keepsake to celebrate being orange, or pink, or blue and wearing green and gold. These will be treasured.
There is not one person in our club who in times of doubt, injury, sickness or when disheartened, has not thought of Jenny, her outlook of life and unwavering determination and been uplifted and revitalised.
Jenny would do more training in a week of treatment than most people do in a tough week of training. She trained through her sickness and treatment and she never let it impact on the paddling she loved so much or the life she lived with such happiness and passion. She was an inspiration to everyone who knew her.
So, when the swell and the wind combine to treat us to runners,
when the boat run is magical and the sun shines on our backs,
when the water is warm and dolphins swim beside us,
when a rainbow forms overhead or gold hangs warmly on our chests,
when there is a splash, a laugh, a smile or an embrace,
when each individual feels a sense of achievement and when the team is proud…
We will think of Jen. And, she’ll be there, smiling, shining, sharing the moment. Always.
"Photographs are precious memories… the visual evidence of place and time and relationships…
ritual talismans for the treasure chest of the heart." ~ Robert Fulghum.
You can read about Jenny’s experiences with dragon boating and her
fight with cancer as told to the ABC’s Australian Story here
If you would like to be kept informed of the arrangements for Jenny’s funeral please contact Julia
{mxc}