101-year-old former nurse gives away million-dollar apartment
An apartment in Darling Point, Sydney, has sold for a whopping $1.7 million after being given away to St. Vincent’s Private hospital.
The “time warp” unit went under the hammer as part of a $6 million estate and was initially given away by nurse Anne “Nan” Kearins, who died in 2019 at the age of 101.
The 1950s apartment was part of Ms Kearin’s blue ribbon share portfolio worth $6 million.
The two-bedroom apartment located on Yarranabe Rd had five buyers registered.
Selling agent Walter Burfitt-Williams from Ray White Taylor and Partners revealed that one buyer was an expat based in London, while the others were young professionals.
Mr Burfitt-Williams told News Corp that the home was in a similar condition to how Ms Kearins would have bought it back in 1959.
“It’s a real time warp – particularly the kitchen and bathroom,” he said.
Ms Kearins started at the training school with St. Vincent’s in 1936 when she was just 18.
The next 70 years were spent as a nurse, educator and volunteer.
The nurse, who had spent time in Europe to study, was apparently extremely popular with patients who gifted her with diamond rings, ruby earrings and Rolex watches.
Ms Kearins died in 2019 at St Vincent’s aged care in Bronte.
She never married and had lived at the apartment into her late 90s.
In her later years, she became a major advocate for nurse education and made a gift of $200,000 to St Vincent’s Private in 2014.
Mr Burfitt-Williams also said he planned on donating he his commission on the sale back to St Vincent’s.
The St Vincent’s Private Hospital Sydney is planning to make a range of programs and training services for future nurses in honour of her service and generosity.