IN LOVING MEMORY

IN LOVING MEMORY OF MY MUM

MARGARET ELIZABETH STEWART

(03/01/1934 – 03/03/2012)

Eulogy

Margaret Elizabeth Newitt was born in Bundaberg on 3rd January 1934.
She was one of four children and the only daughter of Jessie Hannah and George Obidiah
Thomas Newitt. She had two older brothers, Ronald and Donald and a younger brother
Graham.
Mum’s early years were spent living on a small farm at Pine Creek, ~20 km south of
Bundaberg.
It was always a big event to dress up and head to the city (Bundaberg) by horse and sulky
once a month.
When Margaret was nine, she lost her Dad who passed away at the age 40; and life as she
knew it changed. The family relocated to Wyper Street in Bundaberg and she attended the
Bundaberg South State School for her primary schooling and completed her high schooling
to grade 10 at Bundaberg State High School.
She left school and commenced working for her Uncle John, one of Bundaberg’s major
builders, as his personal secretary.
Margaret suffered a second tragedy in her life when at the age of 17, she lost her youngest
15 year old brother Graham on Christmas morning from an injury he sustained when cycling
in the Australian Bike racing championship the evening before.
In the next year, she became friendly with Allan, another country boy who was to become
the love of her life. Margaret gave her heart to the Lord this same year.
In 1955 at the age of 21 she married Allan, and thus began their life of adventure. Little did
this shy young country girl realise, the road both she and Allan would walk together
throughout their married life.
They moved to Maryborough where they settled in a new home in Bashford Street. Allan
had spent the previous three years, with blood, sweat and tears building this dream home
from the ground up for his new bride. Mum loved this home... not because it was new
but because of all the love that Allan had put into building it for her.
Only after living 6 months in this home, Allan was offered the opportunity to buy his
Father’s one truck carrying business. They left Maryborough and returned to Bundaberg
where Mum supported Dad in what was the start of their high profile business life.
They moved into a rental home in Perry Street, next door to where Dad was to set up his
future businesses. In 1957 their first daughter Karen was born, followed by Judith and then
Leanne.
The old saying: ”Behind every successful man stands a supportive wife” has been
epitomised in Mum, who stood beside Dad in every decision they made together as God
dramatically blessed their business.

During these early years she was a devoted wife and mother, and still found time to
volunteer to help others with Meals on Wheels, School Tuckshops, running the girls around
to sporting events, and sitting patiently waiting for them. In an unassuming way she was
active in her church, the KYB Bible Study, and the Gideon’s Auxiliary.
For the first 10 years of their marriage, whilst Dad’s business was growing and Mum was
busy raising their family, there was never time for a holiday. When Dad arrived home one
night with the news of a an all‐expenses paid holiday to New Zealand courtesy of GMH,
Mum was really excited. They had the time of their lives on their second honeymoon
(childless).
This was the start of many more of their overseas adventures together. Many of those were
the rewards of the hard work they put into building their business.
Mum always had a heart to serve others, and this became very evident particularly as Dad’s
businesses and standing in the community grew.
In 1967, he was able to provide Mum with a beautiful home in Queen Street. This gave her
further opportunities to serve others.
She loved Allan and her girls to feel free to invite visitors or friends home at any time.
There was always plenty to go around. She had the ability to create a home that was always
welcoming to whoever came, whether they were Australian General Motors Management,
the top Billy Graham Evangelist Team, a house full of sporting billets or all our teenage
friends. Everyone loved coming to our place.
No matter who they were, Mum always had an ability to make people feel valued.
At one stage people wondered whether Dad had transferred his car yard to home as on
several occasions there were over 70 young people at home for Christian youth activities
and gatherings.
Now some of you might be thinking that this sounds like a lot of hard work, but Mum
delighted in us having folk home, and Dad would often bring in the caterers, so that Mum
was free to be the wonderful hostess she was.
Whilst the girls were young, Mum never had a driving licence. Often Mum & her girls would
ride their push bikes to town or to visit her mum, or Dad had his business courteousy driver
deliver them around the town. In fact, she was fervently protective of her family. When her
girls would set off for school on their bikes, she would stand at the kitchen window with her
binoculars, just to make sure they safely past through all the cane fields and out the other
side.
Karen remembers the day that Dad arrived home with a little blue Morris Minor and
handed Mum the keys along with organised driving lessons. These lessons provided her
with the confidence to get her driving licence and it definitely gave Mum more freedom to
enjoy her extra activities as well as chauffeuring her girls herself.

Mum and Dad were avid supporters of all their girls’ endeavours. Mum spent countless
hours every afternoon taking them to their training sessions, music lessons, accompany
them on walks, waiting at the beach, and still managed to have dinner on the table for them
when we all finally got home. Her patience was endless.
The care for her family continued as the years passed, and it wasn’t long before the girls
had grown and were preparing to get married and create their own families.
It wasn’t long after Karen & Jude were married, that Dad started receiving many petitions
from public and prominent people in the city, wanting him to enter Local Government. His
response was always that he was too busy, not only in his businesses but in public service
around Bundaberg. Mum and Dad often read Proverbs or Psalms in their daily family
devotions and had been discussing whether Dad should consider standing for the council.
One particular morning in 1982 and two days before nominations closed, Dad woke mum
and told her he’d made the decision, that he would definitely not stand for the council as
he was far too busy.
It just so happened that the devotional reading that morning (an hour after Allan woke
Margaret) was Proverbs 31. They usually read from the Living Bible. At verse 16 (“she looks
at land and buys it”), Dad had a fun dig at Mum saying: “Love, you have let me down badly
there love, because I have been the one buying the land”) Then came verse 23 which reads:
“And her husband, who was well known, will sit on the town council with the other civic
leaders”.
Mum’s immediate response to Dad was “And you were going to make what decision
today?” This reading was to change the course of their lives. Obedience to this triggered
amazing opportunities and challenges.
From a quiet country girl, Mum now became a very public figure in the city and the years of
practicing hospitality to all who graced her door in previous years, served her well. In
cohorts with her husband, they hosted functions for many dignitaries, including the
Governor General of Australia and his wife, the Prime Minister and Premiers of Queensland.
One of the observations I made with Mum Stewart, was that her grace and humility never
changed regardless of the company or people she was serving.
Towards the end of Dad’s term of office, there was an Australian wide financial crash, that
significantly altered their circumstances. This cost them everything materially including
their beautiful home.
During this traumatic time, Margaret’s love, integrity and good character was manifested as
she stood side by side with Dad, as they worked purposefully together to repay all their
debts, and keep their good name.
Everything of true value to Mum, was her joy in the Lord, and her family.
Her girls remember her telling them that she really hadn’t lost anything because her
relationship with the Lord and her family and friends, were the only treasures that had
eternal value.

As Dad retired from the Council and disposed of his Business interests, they entered a new
phase in their lives by moving to the Sunshine Coast in 1988, where they have lived for the
last 24 years.
This allowed them to finally enjoy some quality time together, be more involved in serving
in this church, offering hospitality and encouragement to the folk who dropped in to have
a cuppa with them, and spending more time with family and grandchildren.
The same delight she took in raising her own girls, she also took in spending time and being
involved in the lives of her grandchildren and great grand children, which has left them with
lots of wonderful memories and a legacy of Christian character.
During the last few years of her life, Mum developed some loss of memory, and Dad did a
wonderful job in caring for her. Since Mum’s hospitalisation, six weeks ago, the family,
grandchildren and great grandchildren have each had the opportunity to spend quality time
with her and surround her with their love. They all feel blessed that they have been given
the opportunity to say goodnight. Even during her last days, she never ever forgot her Allan
(or his name). At times though, she may have forgotten the girls’ names, she never ever
forgot who they were and they were “definitely keepers”. (In fact, if I recall, she could recall us
boy’s names (in‐laws) after her daughter’s names were not. Who’s the favourite now eh?)
Right up until the evening before she went into her deep sleep, she was lavish with her love
and affections towards us all, and she never forgot her beautiful manners. (She would be
heard saying “thank you, thank you” constantly to the nurses who tended her)
Since losing Mum, we have received many words of comfort.
The following comment Dad received epitomises (characterises) our wife and Mum:
“Although we only spent a short time together, on meeting Margaret, I was
immediately impressed with her dignity, graciousness and beautiful heart; she
was a truly genuine and lovely lady.”
GRACE WAS IN ALL HER STEPS, HEAVEN IN HER EYES, IN EVERY GESTURE DIGNITY AND LOVE.
Proverbs 31:27‐31 (Easy to read version) ends with (of course many husbands would know
this)
27 She oversees the care of her house.
She is never lazy.
28 Her children say good things about her.
Her husband brags about her and says,
29 “There are many good women,
but you are the best.”
30 Grace and beauty can fool you,
but a woman who respects the LORD should be praised.
31 Give her the reward she deserves.
Praise her in public for what she has done.

Karen’s Memories of her Mother Margaret Elizabeth Stewart

There are many memories I have of my beautiful Mum, many of which we have shared together this past week. These have bought comfort to our hearts and put smiles on our faces.

Some of my fondest memories of my time with Mum were the years before I got married when we would go walking around Queens Park behind the Hospital in Bundaberg each afternoon. She was never keen for us to be there on our own, so she would come for the walk with us. Mum was always more than a mum to us, she was a close friend, and it was very easy to confide in her. It was during these times together that she was able to share with us her heart too. These talks with her helped to mould me as I learnt lessons of thankfulness, forgiveness, and the importance of handing over our struggles to the Lord.

When I brought Steve home, Mum adopted him into our family at a very crucial time in his life. She made Steve feel very loved & valued. Therefore he has never been able to identify with the mother-in-law jokes. In fact, I seemed to lose my place as a favoured daughter, because whenever Steve came over, the meal always seem to be based on his favourite meal.

This continued all through out married lives, if she knew we were coming home, there was always a special favourite meal cooked ready and waiting on the table for us when we arrived.

Even in her last days with us, the time I have spent with Mum has had a profound impact on my life.

Over the past five weeks I have had the most wonderful privilege of being able to spend the last weeks of Mum’s life sitting up at the hospital with her. She has always had a heart for loving her family and serving others, and even during this time when all the family, grandchildren and great grandchildren have been to visit, she has always had a keen sense of humor, and a wonderful smile of her face, when each of us have walked into her room. It was very obvious to all that she loved us and loved to have us around. She managed to leave each of us with a special touch or memory that has left each of us knowing just how much she still knew the heart of us and this has made us feel cherished.

We found that even with Mum’s memory loss, her character never ever changed....even on her sickest days when she could barely utter the words, she was always ready with a thankful response to the care that was given to her. To the very end, she would also apologise to the nurses for putting them out by having to attend to her when she thought they had more urgent needs elsewhere. She was loved by all who cared for her. Several of the nurses and hospital staff came in to say goodbye to her or spend some time with her before they clocked off for the day.

Mum always looked out for us and our families. Nothing was too much trouble for her. So in the last few weeks of her life it was an absolute delight & joy to “pay it back”, to take care of Mum in a similar fashion she demonstrated to me/us. She left us with a wonderful example to follow in our faith, our marriages and our families.

Mum, I will miss you terribly, but I know that today is not goodbye. We are just saying goodnight for we know we will meet again in Eternity.

I love you Mum.

Memories of My Mother by Jude McCracken

I was asked if I would like to share some memories I have of my beautiful mother. There are so many that I struggled to find just which ones I wanted to share with you.

I remember how my mum loved to cook and sew and from an early age taught me to have a great love of doing this as well. She would not just make clothes for us but also dolls dresses. I loved the barbie dolls clothes in particular and she went on to make these for her granddaughters too, and one of these has now been passed onto her two great granddaughters who still enjoy dressing their barbies in it. I remember the times we spent in the kitchen where she taught me to bake passing on recipes that she had learnt from her mother. The lessons of life that I learnt from her as we baked together, have been invaluable to me throughout my life and I in turn have been able to pass these onto my own children.

My mother generously gave of her time and would spend hours down at the athletic club every afternoon after school waiting patiently while I trained with a group of other athletes and our coach. She would then rush home to get dinner on the table for the rest of the family.

I remember the time when mum and I went on a train trip to Rockhampton to visit my sister. I had left our children in the safe care of my husband so that mum and I could visit Karen. We had such a wonderful time together and at night after we had gone to our room would lay in our single beds reminiscing about our life and laughing until we had tears running down our cheeks. It was one of the best times I have ever had. Karen later told me how envious she felt hearing us at the other end of the house laughing together after she had gone to bed.

Mum loved to walk and we would often walk together. I loved this time that we spent with one another and the conversations we had, but the times she walked alone in the early mornings would always be the times when she would pray for all her family. The impact of her prayers will surely only be fully know when we all pass into Eternity.

When I think of my mother, she reminds me not only of the Proverbs 31 woman, but of a Bible verse found in Galatians 5 v 22.

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and longsuffering.....

These are all the qualities that were displayed in my mother's character. In her gentle, quiet, and obedient way, she taught all her family, friends and acquaintances the meaning of these qualities. Her love of the Lord were very evident in the way she conducted herself as a woman, a wife, a grandmother and great grandmother, and a friend to all those who knew her.

As my sisters and I sat down together the other night reminiscing about the memories of our lives as we were growing up, I realized that our stories would probably have no real significance to anyone else other than ourselves, but they just cemented the picture I had of my beautiful mother and how she made me feel - Loved unconditionally - and if there is one thing I will always remember, it is that I always felt very cherished.

Even though I will miss my mother terribly, I know I was only saying goodnight to her because I know I will see her in the morning when I finally get to greet her in Eternity.

Life is Eternal, and love is immortal,

And death is only a horizon,

And a horizon is nothing save the limit of our sight.

Goodnight mum. I love you. xxx

LEANNE’S MEMORIES OF HER MOTHER – 09-03-2012

It’s occasions like these that you wish you could eloquently express the moments of a persons life that have influenced and affected you in such a deep and lasting way…..

And sometimes when you do find the words to say, a certain regret fills your heart that these words have waited so long to be said…. And often when they are…. The person you want to say them to is gone…

I am so grateful that we were given the time to let our mum know just how much we loved her and that we are so thankful for the legacy of love and grace that she left each one of us girls….

I have written a letter to my mum to finish off the last conversation we had as there were a few things left I hadn’t said…..

Mum…. I will always be so indebted to you for the example you set me…. Both you and Dad always taught us about the value of a person’s character… and as I was growing up your words laid a foundation for me…. But later in life as I watched when you both suffered the hardships of losing all that you had worked for…. I saw the outworking of that teaching in the way you handled yourselves under such stress and pressure…. You not only taught it – you lived it and showed it….

I remember sitting on the bed one day as you so calmly told me that you had started with little and will possibly finish with little… but along the way you had the most amazing life and had such beautiful girls and son-in-laws… What more could you ask for. I don’t think you’ll ever realize how much that experience has shaped my value system today… that a person is not defined by what they have but by who they are and how they treat others….

· So thankyou Mum….for all the times you drove me to the beach after school and waited in the car for hours while I surfed….

· Thankyou for not having a long memory of the times I made bad choices or acted in a way thjat no doubt bought heartache.

· Thankyou for being such a good listener and waiting for the right time to say the things I needed to hear.

· And lastly Mum… Thankyou for your beautiful smile…. That always appeared whenever I entered the room to see you…

I love you Mum…. Now it’s time for you to find your rest with the One who shaped your life in such a beautiful way….JESUS!

If I could leave with this beautiful story.. Not long ago I asked my parents to tell me something that was important to them both…

This is way they said…

“GOODNIGHT MARGARET…. I LOVE YOU

GOODNIGHT ALLAN…. I LOVE YOU

WE’VE HAD A GOOD DAY TODAY HAVEN’T WE…”

These are the words my parents said to one another every night before they went to sleep because if anything happened they wanted the last words they spoke to one another to be words of love.

My mum passed away on Saturday night with the man who adored her by her side.

Memories by her Grand & Great Grand Children – Sarah Moore

Proverbs 31, integrity, polite, loving, wisdom, grace, elegance, patience, and family….these are all words that make us think of our Grandma. She was a daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and a friend.

We should all have that one person to bless us despite the evidence and grandma was that person for us.

Whenever we visited Grandma, she always made us feel she had been waiting to see just us all day and now that we were there her day was complete.

I remember when going to visit Grandma it was always a lot of fun. Quite often she would have all of us grandkids over at one time. Some of our favourite memories as children at Grandma’s were Peter, Natalie, Hannah, Tamika and myself raiding her kitchen cupboard and transferring all her tinned & packaged food, fruit, clothes etc., into their garage, where we would set up a street of shops made from boxes and old furniture, basically, whatever we could find.

Grandma never seemed to get stressed by the chaos & mess we would cause, but rather just watch through joyful loving eyes.

Quite often on our visits, she would fix us up this amazing concoction of mashed up vegetables. It was seriously the best. This was generally followed up with the blanket show, where we would have stories read and our foreheads tickled. Not to mention the abundance supply of fruit loops for breakfast. I can honestly say that visiting Grandma was a lot of fun.

I think one of the things we enjoyed most about our Grandma was knowing her in our teens and as adults. I quite often remember our visits during the holidays, where we would wake up early and climb into bed with Grandma and Grandpa. It has been here that we have enjoyed many life lessons, stories, laughter and love.

Grandma has been a great example as a wife, mother and friend. As mentioned previously, we often think of her as the Proverbs 31 women. Grandma has always treated Grandpa, my parents, uncle and aunties and everyone she met with respect.

Without Grandma even having to say a word, we have learnt a lot through the way she lived. By her example she has taught us to pay attention to the world around us and not just our world. To see others through eyes of love and not fear, be quick to see the similarities and slow to see the differences.

I would like to finish up with a poem I wrote which I have entitled My Grandma’s Love:

As children, we can't comprehend or fully realize the meaning of a grandma's love.How wise she is, how much patience she has, or how much guidance she gives us by her example and by her helpful caring ways. Years go by before we know and understand the depth of her concern and the love in her protectiveness. But as we mature we do finally understand and we can look back and see through older eyes and wiser hearts her unconditional love, devotion, and family loyalty. It's these and many other things that make us realize how lucky we have been and how lucky we are to have had this amazing woman - our grandma - as the centred root of strength and love in our life