The remarkable life and final farewell of Jenny Dowell – the woman who transformed Lismore

FORMER Lismore mayor Jenny Dowell was remembered as a “giant among humans” who lived and breathed the philosophy that society’s worth is measured by how you treat the most vulnerable at her funeral last week.

She was honoured as a leader who earned universal respect – someone who treated others with empathy and humanity, conducted herself with integrity and poise and led from the heart. She was described as ethical, honest, open and unwavering in her principles and values.

Hundreds gathered in The Quad, connecting the Lismore Regional Gallery, Lismore City Library and the Northern Rivers Conservatorium – institutions she strongly supported – to farewell Dowell, who died at her home in Goonellabah, aged 75, surrounded by family.

Among them were Ron, her husband of 47 years, her daughter Georgie and her son Tim with his partner Kat.

Deeply admired and beloved by her community, Dowell was remembered as a woman of grace, wisdom and humour, whose presence left the world kinder and more compassionate.

 

Celebrant Dot Orchard, who had met with Dowell many times in recent months to discuss her funeral, praised her optimism and resilience.

Born in Victoria, Dowell studied infant teaching at Geelong Teachers’ College and began her career working with hearing-impaired children. She moved to Lismore with her husband Ron in 1991, when he took up a role at the tourism school at Southern Cross University.

She was elected to council in 2006 and became mayor in 2008 – just four days before being diagnosed with breast cancer. Despite undergoing a mastectomy and four rounds of chemotherapy, she missed only one council meeting.

Dowell was re-elected in a landslide in 2012 and retired in 2016. In the years that followed, she mentored dozens of other councillors and mayors across NSW and volunteered with numerous community organisations, including the Red Cross, Park Run, NORPA, the Northern Rivers Rail Trail and the Northern Rivers Suicide Prevention and Awareness Group.

After experiencing back pain following a hiking trip, a CT scan last May revealed stage four metastatic breast cancer in her spine. There was no cure.

She stopped treatment in January and chose Voluntary Assisted Dying.

 

Ron said she was grateful for the 17 years she had, which were filled with experiences she never imagined, and time spent with family and friends while putting her affairs in order.

Simon Clough, who served as her deputy mayor, recognised her leadership and extraordinary commitment to the community, noting she would attend up to six meetings a day.

“Prior to Jenny there was somewhat of an inferiority complex in Lismore,” he said. “We moved from ‘Lismoron’ to ‘Lovemore’ and a lot of that was Jenny’s work.”

He also recalled her leadership in the fight against coal seam gas in the region.

Dowell was awarded the Order of Australia Medal in 2017 for her service to local government and the community. In 2018, she received the Autumn Imperial Decoration from the Government of Japan in recognition of her work promoting friendship and mutual understanding between Japan and Australia through a sister city relationship.

 

At the service, friends and family placed gum leaves from her garden on her coffin as a song written in her honour by local musician Luke Vassella played.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also paid tribute in a video shared online, thanking Dowell on behalf of the Australian Labor Party and describing her as a friend and trailblazer who served the Lismore community with boldness and bravery.

Orchard said Dowell’s ongoing wish for others was to live life to the fullest, love and support their communities and show kindness to others.

In lieu of flowers, attendees were invited to donate to the Cancer Council in Jenny’s honour.

To donate, visit https://inmemory.cancercouncil.com.au/fundraisers/warwickbinney/in-memory-of-jenny-dowell