Dr Carol Thomas, a specialist obstetrician gynaecologist and founder of theWomanSpace in Rondebosch, died last Friday, April 12.
Dr Thomas, 58, spent 24 years at Groote Schuur Hospital until 2010 and she also founded iMobiMaMa, a South African digital service providing health advice to pregnant women.
Her sister, Gail Thomas, said she had died from complications caused by a double-lung transplant.
Gail had worked with her sister at the WomanSpace as a practice manager until Dr Thomas fell ill last year and she took care of her.
Many people who knew Dr Thomas shared their condolences on social media.
Nzwaki Nqikashe, a registered nurse at Groote Schuur, described her as one of the best doctors she had worked with.
Marlene van Blerk said Dr Thomas has been a woman of great courage and strength.
Kim Gustafson called her a pioneer in the field of women’s health care.
Dr Thomas’s life partner, Alison Gray, said she had been a kind-hearted person who had always put her family first.
“She was positive, happy and took pleasure from her entrepreneurial work and the care that she could give her clients,” she said.
Groote Schuur Hospital spokesperson, Alaric Jacobs, said: “We remember fondly the work she did at the hospital and the difference she made at the hospital in the gynaecology department.”
Dr Thomas is survived by her father, Gilbert Thomas, her sister, Gail, her son, Adam Thomas-James, and her life partner, Alison Gray.
Her funeral service will be held at Elsies River High School hall on Monday April 22, from 2pm.