ya woulda been proud Maus....

It was Maureen's funeral today - such a sad occasion - such an incredible turn out... people were forced to stand outside - such a loved woman!!!!

I remember dancing and singing to the Supremes many times on the coffee table with Maus, Lisa and Joan - of course, she always had to be Diana Ross (but she did have the hair - only red instead of black) - and of course we were pissed off our faces (and speeding off our tits - they were the drugs she loved - booze and speed - and the 'odd, occasional' blue or green pill!!!) and she had the 'wickedest' and best sense of humour - so big a part of why she was loved sooooo much...

Apart from all the good times, she also helped me through a very dark time... i will always remember you were the one who was there in my bleakest moment many years ago... thank you dear friend...

I was talking to Joan, her friend of 40 years after the ceremony (and poor Joan lost both of her parents this year, and now her best friend) - she said she couldn't help thinking "where the fuck is Maureen - she should be here to enjoy this!!!" I think that's how we all felt...

Be proud of your kids woman - they did it well today... they put together a beautiful service - the photos, the words, the music = it just typified you... of course there was The Supemes, and one of the loveliest versions of 'Flame trees' i've heard... by Sarah Blasko, which i'm going to leave you with while i drink a toast in your name sister...

there's so much more that could be said, but i'm more emotional than i thought i would be now so i'll just say farewell maus (but you would have got a buzz that i got your age wrong - i told everyone you were 3 years younger than me - you were only a year and a half younger - you would have liked that !!!!) .... we moved on different paths over the years but you will always be in my heart and thoughts... you've left such a gap in so many people's lives...

cheers sister...

sad news...

another family member and friend died today and needs to be farewelled... she went into cardiac arrest this morning, but was oxygen-deprived for way too long... all life support is to be turned off tomorrow morning - once her father arrives from queensland...

it was only a few short weeks ago that Maureen, friend of old and 'sister-in-law' - my brother's partner after irene - mother of my nephew Benjamin and niece Jessica - felt ill and went into hospital only to be diagnosed with an aggressive cancer that had moved from her liver to her stomach... such rapidity... she was to turn 51 later this month...

i used this poem by 'anon' when Janis died, but it is beautiful so i will use it again (but such a pity i can't give proper credit for it)...

They are not dead,

those who leave us this great heritage of remembering joy.

They still live in our hearts,

in the happiness we knew, in the dreams we shared.

They still breathe in the lingering fragrance,

windblown, from their favourite flowers.

They still smile in the moonlight’s silver,

and laugh in the sunlight’s sparkling gold.

They still speak in the echoes of the words we’ve heard them say

again and again.

They still move, in the rhythm of waving grasses,

in the dance of the tossing branches.

They are not dead;

their memory is warm in our hearts,

comfort in our sorrow.

They are not apart from us, but part of us, always.

FAREWELL MAUREEN