By Kate Bonsack
HELPING others was in the soul of Altona resident, Joan Craggs.
Her community spirit and love of art gave her a positive reputation in the local area, and now one year after her death she is still helping others.
Mrs Craggs died of ovarian cancer last August aged 79, and until the end of this month an exhibition of her art will raise funds for the Ovarian Cancer Foundation.
Her husband, Derek Craggs, has organised the exhibition at the Louis Joel Arts and Community Centre in Altona, which donated the space he needed for her many artworks.
These artworks will be for sale, and proceeds will go to helping the foundation continue its research.
Mr Craggs said it was what his wife would have wanted.
“She’d be pleased that it would go towards helping others,” he said.
“That’s the type of person she was.
“When she was sick, she was asked if she would take part in a trial when it wasn’t known what the outcome would be.
“She said ‘if it doesn’t do me any good, it might help others’.”
Mr and Mrs Craggs have lived in Altona since 1966, and have been integral in establishing an arts community.
Mrs Craggs donated many of her artworks to schools for fund-raisers, and in 2002 she was awarded an Order of Australia.
“She was a beautiful woman,” Mr Craggs said. “She got diagnosed with ovarian cancer far too late. The Royal Women’s Hospital did a good job looking after her, but they couldn’t do anything.
“She even gave the hospital paintings for their raffles.”
Mr Craggs decided to hold the exhibition in memory of his wife, and anticipates many people will attend.
“She was friendly to everyone, which is what I think made her so popular.”
Her popularity will always remain in Mr Craggs’ heart. They were married for 41 years, and he said when she died he felt he’d lost a part of himself.
“When you have someone and have something to say to them…say it to them, because you don’t know when they will go.”
The exhibition started on Saturday and will continue until 31 August, from 10am to 4pm daily.
