3 minute read
‘Aremarkable woman’
WINSOME YVONNE JOHNSTON: 29 NOVEMBER 1928 – 15 MAY 2023
Until 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 management and a positive attitude, you can live a long and healthy life with diabetes.
Her generosity with helping others had her constantly accumulating many fans. Her daughter Jan says she loved everybody and everyone loved her back. Admirers included those who saw her regularly at her medical appointments, including Rab Burtun, her diabetes nurse specialist of 21 years. Jan says that Rab often commented on what an amazing lady she was. He would tell many of his patients about her, using her as the epitome of awesome diabetes self-management. He said he never met someone as strict and determined as Winsome.
Win told Diabetes Wellness in 2015 that the key to living well with diabetes was having a good support network of friends and family who understand a bit about diabetes and can help when needed. Her daughter Jan says she will be dearly missed.
The Johnston family tried to get Winsome recognised in the Guinness Book of World Records but said the officials needed to see the signature of the doctor who diagnosed her. That was 88 years ago, and the likelihood of finding that doctor was long gone.
