Poonam spent her working life caring for patients who were dying and after being diagnosed with cancer in 2017, spent her final days being cared for by the Mary Potter Hospice staff.

A talented student, she came to New Zealand aged 12, spoke three languages fluently, ran the school magazine and was part of the marching band.   She went on to study genetics in Dunedin and eventually qualified with a masters in social work and 22 letters after her name.  But a passion to serve her community in palliative care won her over.   

Poonam was working as an oncology and palliative care social worker in Sydney when she was diagnosed.  Soon afterwards her health rapidly declined and work was no longer an option so returned to Wellington to be near her supportive family.   She died on 8 January after a brave battle and leaves behind a 3-year-old daughter Siona.

Two of Poonam's French teachers at Wellington Girls' College, Julie Herron (Former Head of the French Department), and Janet McCallister (still teaching French at the school), attended Poonam's funeral, and remember her as an outstanding student and a vibrant, passionate and funny person. Poonam still holds the record for the longest entry in the French Archives Book (a scrapbook in which 7th Form/Year 13 students of French have written their farewells to the French Department since 1995). Poonam's entry ends with the now poignant words, " 'Les paroles s'envolent, les écrits restent...' ('Spoken words fly away, written words remain...'), so I guess this is how I will be remembered." In fact, Poonam will be remembered above all for her insatiable appetite for life and her generous care for others, which were the two characteristics that most defined her, both during her school career and in the remaining years of her life.