Vale Auntie Gertie

Warrigal

Warrigal

SF VIP
Location
Sydney, Australia
I received news today that my mother's youngest sister passed away this morning. She lived about 5 hours drive away in a nursing home and my sister and I were planning to drive there on Tuesday. My sister was flying in from Queensland tomorrow and she still will, but this time it will be to attend a funeral. We had both hoped to see her one more time before she died.

She was 96, so this is not an unanticipated event. Auntie Gertie (Gertrude) lived a very happy life. Even in these last years she attempted a cheerful outlook on life, complaining only that her feet hurt. She had a strong, even wilful personality but all of the family regarded her fondly. I shall miss her but I am grateful that she passed gently into the night.

This photo was taken in September last year.

Gertie April 2015.jpg
 

I am so sorry to hear about your Auntie, Warrigal. She really was a beautiful woman! Her face is so full of character and personality.
 
Thanks Guitarist. My thoughts are naturally with her today and I will probably be called on to say a few words at her service. I wrote her husband's eulogy a few years ago because they had no children. It was a privilege.
 

This was Auntie Gertie at my wedding, 1963
Uncle John was the sweetest man I've ever known but Auntie had a bit more vinegar in her.
They were absolutely devoted to each other.

Gert at Maureen's wedding.JPG
 
My sister and I were trawling through old family photo albums I had inherited and found this engaging photo of Auntie as a child.

Gertie and friend web.jpg

I also found this photo of her as a young woman

Elegance.jpg

When we see and old man or old woman, their features and shape ravaged by time, we often forget that they were once young, gorgeous and filled with joie de vivre. Somewhere deep inside, that younger self still lives.
 
The photo of her as a child with the dog reminds me of one of my favorite books, Golden Dog, by Mary Elwyn Patchett. First book I ever read set in Australia.

I like your description of her, Warrigal. Growing up I always loved the older women I knew who were feisty and a little prickly rather than soft and cushy. You knew where you stood with them, there was nothing fake about them.
 
Warrigal said:
My sister and I were trawling through old family photo albums I had inherited and found this engaging photo of Auntie as a child.

View attachment 29131

I also found this photo of her as a young woman

View attachment 29132

When we see and old man or old woman, their features and shape ravaged by time, we often forget that they were once young, gorgeous and filled with joie de vivre. Somewhere deep inside, that younger self still lives.
Click to expand...

I'm so sorry forr your loss,Warrigal.

I do the oposite,I look at someone old and try to imagine how they were young,and wonder what their story is.

Great pictures and memories.
The love for her shows through your words.
 
Thanks Vickynightowl.

I'm still finding treasures. This is a photo of Auntie and her twin brother. I think they had both been given a penny to spend. Uncle John went on to become a bank manager, and even at this tender age he seems to know the value of money.

Gert and John with penny.jpg

Notice the hand knits which were very common in those days. Auntie went on to be very skilled at knitting. Everything from silk scarves and fair isle vests to lacy sweaters and baby clothes.
 
Warrigal said:
Thanks Vickynightowl.

I'm still finding treasures. This is a photo of Auntie and her twin brother. I think they had both been given a penny to spend. Uncle John went on to become a bank manager, and even at this tender age he seems to know the value of money.

View attachment 29135

Notice the hand knits which were very common in those days. Auntie went on to be very skilled at knitting. Everything from silk scarves and fair isle vests to lacy sweaters and baby clothes.
Click to expand...

Aunt Gertie looks like she has her eye on John's penny! Great pictures, Warri. She obviously left a great legacy behind. I truly empathize with your loss.
 
Thanks, Underock,

Her funeral and burial is tomorrow morning at Bathurst which is on the other side of the mountains west of Sydney.
We'll be leaving here at 7 am to be sure that we get there in time for an 11 o'clock service.
The roads are good unless they are doing roadwork; then the trip becomes a little longer.
 
Warrigal said:
Thanks, Underock,

Her funeral and burial is tomorrow morning at Bathurst which is on the other side of the mountains west of Sydney.
We'll be leaving here at 7 am to be sure that we get there in time for an 11 o'clock service.
The roads are good unless they are doing roadwork; then the trip becomes a little longer.
Click to expand...

That sounds like a real haul. Have a safe trip. Hope your weather co-operates.
 
It's Saturday now and we are back in Sydney.
The funeral and interment went well and we went to the solicitor's office yesterday to begin the winding up of her estate. I am one of the executors in her will.


I delivered her eulogy and various nieces and nephews who couldn't attend had sent me written tributes which I printed out attractively and these, plus the photos I found, were on display at her wake. There was a lot of interest in them.

It is the end of a generation and I am satisfied that they have all been honoured at their passing. It is a good feeling.
 
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Warrigal said:
It's Saturday now and we are back in Sydney.
The funeral and interment went well and we went to the solicitor's office yesterday to begin the winding up of her estate. I am one of the executors in her will.


I delivered her eulogy and various nieces and nephews who couldn't attend had sent me written tributes which I printed our attractively and these, plus the photos I found, were on display at her wake. There was a lot of interest in them.

It is the end of a generation and I am satisfied that they have all been honoured at their passing. It is a good feeling.
Click to expand...

Well done, Warri. A good feeling well deserved.
 

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