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Anne Rogan worked at Methodist Hospital for more than two decades. She started out in her 20s as a secretary, but in her late 30s, was diagnosed with breast cancer. The news didn’t stop the Packer Park native from pursuing a degree in nursing — something she had always wanted to do, husband of 23 years Jim Rogan, of Deptford, N.J., said.
While at a loss of words when it comes to describing his late wife who died last year, he said she definitely was determined.
"She worked full time, she went through chemo, went to school and came home and took care of us, which was pretty amazing," Rogan said of the family — which includes daughters Nicole, 22, and Jessica, 16 — formerly of 19th and Ritner streets.
"She balanced quite a few things. You couldn’t imagine. And guess what? She wouldn’t complain. It’s sounds crazy, but she wouldn’t complain," he added.
At Methodist, her dedication to others will serve as an inspiration through the Anne C. Rogan RN Memorial Nursing Scholarship for students pursuing a degree in nursing that are academically qualified, in financial need and are caring and compassionate — "the qualities that Anne possessed," Diane Pirollo, vice president of community relations and foundation development at Methodist, said.
"She was an exemplary, compassionate person who was universally loved by everyone," Pirollo said of the 2007 Employee of the Year.
Her husband was informed of the scholarship named in his wife’s honor in July.
"She would have loved that," he said.
Added daughter Jessica, "I think it’s really nice because we can help support my mom and the scholarship that’s named after her and help others who want to become nurses."
"South Philly Fashion in the Fast Lane," taking place 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 18 at the Simeone Racing Car Museum, 6825-31 Norwitch Drive, will benefit the foundation with a portion of the proceeds going toward the scholarship. Tickets are $75 to $85.
Former co-worker Louise Caso, who is on the committee for Sunday’s event, is pleased by the early response.
"It’s been really neat because people will come into the [hospital’s] lobby, they’ll ask about it and when they hear the story, they’re touched by it," the resident of 17th and Shunk streets said.
The event begins with a self-guided tour of the museum followed by a wine-tasting and luncheon at 12:30 p.m., Pirollo said. James Robinson, chief administrative officer at Methodist, will welcome those in attendance, present the second annual Community Service Award and raffle 19 gift baskets donated by the various hospital departments.
The fashion show, which begins at 2 p.m., has expanded from eight to 17 models — eight from Ss. John Neumann and Maria Goretti High School, 10th and Moore streets, nine from Methodist, 2301 S. Broad St., and Jessica Rogan.
being diagnosed with the disease didn’t get to Rogan. She may have been down for a day, but by the next, she was ready to move on, her husband, who has worked in the kitchen at Methodist for 21 years, said.
"She wouldn’t let it stop her from doing anything," he said. "She just kept going. She wouldn’t look back."
Caso said she never met anyone as resilient as Rogan.
"Every step of the way she fought," Caso, Robinson’s secretary, said. "She had maybe a year or two in remission. All the while, she fought."
"After I got sick — I know it sounds corny �– but I knew I wanted to do something more with my life," Rogan said a few years before her death. "When I was young, I had quit college and always regretted it."
Rogan graduated from the last class at Methodist Hospital School of Nursing in ’06 and was able to use her newly refined skills for about a year-and-a-half before she passed away, months shy of her 50th birthday.
"Battling the disease that eventually took her life made her an excellent nurse. She was dedicated to Methodist as she continued to come to work during chemo and even with a catheter bag tied to her leg," Caso said.
"I think it made her the most compassionate nurse because she knew what it was like to be on the other side of that care," she said of Rogan, whose younger sister Joan also died of breast cancer.
The patients and even the employees approached her with questions when it came to health topics.
"She was so good at that," Caso said. "She just felt that she wanted to help people."
The models for Sunday’s event will sport fashions from East Passyunk Avenue shops Aci Nae, A Man’s Image, Frankie’s on the Avenue, Harriet’s Innerwear, Pasquale Scioli, Bianca Simone, Shoe Barrel and Sweet Jane Vintage, while hair and makeup will be provided by Headhunters, Novo Salon and LA Hair Salon.
Jessica thinks her mom would have found the event — and her participation — amusing due to her daughter’s love of fashion.
"She would say, ‘Oh this is right up your alley,’ Jessica said.
But Jessica wasn’t the only one invited to walk the catwalk, Jim Rogan said.
"They wanted us all to be in it, but I’m not really the modeling type," he said, adding he’ll be watching from the audience.
