Obituary
‘A remarkable woman’ WINSOME YVONNE JOHNSTON: 29 NOVEMBER 1928 – 15 MAY 2023
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ntil her recent death, at 94 years old, Winsome Johnston was the oldest person with type 1 diabetes in the world. Internationally, Winsome was held up by healthcare professionals as an example of what’s possible with good diabetes management. In 2017, she was New Zealand’s first recipient of the HG Wells Medal from Diabetes UK. This award recognises those who have lived with type 1 diabetes for more than 80 years. When Win received hers, only two other type 1 diabetes
patients worldwide had received the award. Informed at the age of six that she wouldn’t live very long and never have children, Winsome went on to have four children, 15 grandchildren, and 16 great-grandchildren. She lived independently at Crestwood Retirement Village, in Titirangi. In 2000, Winsome started the first diabetes support group in Paraparaumu. Her generosity, determination, and experience attracted a following. She was
an excellent role model, able to lead by example by showing the results of eating and exercising well. Winsome’s mother had set this discipline as soon as Winsome was diagnosed, having already lost an elder daughter to diabetes 10 years earlier, before insulin was discovered. Winsome often volunteered with the Auckland branch of Diabetes NZ. She was able to talk with people, especially the young, believing that youth need to know that life goes on, and with good
Top left: Winsome’s children, going from left to right – Sherryn Davison, John Johnston, Joanne Dunningham, Janene Grove Top right: Winsome with some of her great-grandchildren. Bottom: Winsome’s entire family attended her 90th birthday.
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DIABETES WELLNESS | Spring 2023
