Our Mum

It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of our Mum, Enid in the early hours of July 24th.

She was 93.

COVID restrictions resulted in her funeral becoming a private family gathering at the Minyip cemetery last Friday so we will share the day with everyone here.

Mum was born at home in Springmount near Creswick on 1-6-1928 to William Guthrie Murphy aka Ned and Alice May Sanders aka Daisy. 

A twin to Uncle Pat who is currently in a nursing home in Creswick and hoping to be allowed home with his family soon.

Being born at home is one thing.

Twins being born at home is another and is testament to the unwavering strength and tenacity of these two little Murphy kids.

At the time of their births, Max was 11, Delha was 10, Glad was 9, Molly was 6 and Len was 18 months. Betty was born 2 years later and then Jim, 18 months after that.

A family of 9 beautiful Murphy kids.

 Uncle Pat and Aunty Betty remain the only living siblings.

Aunty Glad lived in Coolangatta Qld. 

Mum’s twin brother, Uncle Pat is on the left.

The siblings gathered together except for Aunty Molly who sadly passed away when she was quite young.

Jim, Dell, Betty, Len, Pat , Glad, Mum and Max.

Aunty Molly is on the left. This is the only photo we have of her. She is with Mum, their father Ned and Ned’s sister May.

Mum’s mother passed away when she was 57 and before we were all born. I only have vague memories of Ned, our grandfather. We called him Ganga.

They all went to school in Springmount and Mum completed Grade 8 there. We can only imagine a life of joyful freedom for them all, exploring the bush, creating their own adventures, getting up to mischief and looking after each other. 

She became a tailoress at Mark and Phillips in Ballarat when she was 15 and made men’s suit coats mostly by hand. Her take home pay was 5 shillings a week.

At the age of 18 she became the floor lady at the Creswick Mill. She rode her bike there each day from Springmount. She was in charge of fixing the machines, collecting the bundles of clothing, putting the v necks in jumpers, using the buttonhole machines and steam presses.

We think she met Dad at a dance. I recall Dad telling us that she was one of two that he “ had his eye on” and had asked his  Mum for some counsel about which of them he should pursue. She wisely suggested Mum……luckily for us. Dad’s mother ( our Nana ) was a beautiful, kind soul so must have detected those traits in Mum too.

They were married on 25-9-1948 in Creswick.

 She was 20 and Dad was 23.

She wore a pale blue frock with a coffee coloured trim and navy accessories for her going away outfit. I thought she looked gorgeous. They honeymooned in Geelong and along the Great Ocean Road in Dad’s old Chrysler car. No wonder Mum has suffered with vertigo all her life!

 Bill and I took them back to the Church in Creswick when they were both in their eighties.

After they were married, they moved to Minyip after Dad had seen an ad for a plumber in Minyip with a house available. The house was in Mill Street. I don’t think it is there now. Then followed a move to a house in South Street. Once again, I’m not sure if it remains.

Eventually, Dad built the house that we all grew up in and which has become our family home in Church Street.

Dianne was born in1951, Helen in 53, Dennis in 58 and Leesa in 1968.

Mum devoted her life to raising her family and as a consequence became involved in all the services connected with that…..the baby Health Centre, the Pre school and the Primary School.

This led to many friendships made with other families and their children. Peggy and Bob Baker and their children became a huge part of our lives. Mum and Aunty Peg spent hours on the phone to each other and were the best of friends.

 

Mum would heat up our socks in the open oven each morning during winter so that they’d be nice and warm when we put them on. She would walk us to the gate each morning on our way to school or the bus stop and after a kiss goodbye would ask us if we had a clean hanky before letting us go on our way. She would heat up soup and put it in flasks for us at High School, so we’d have something warm to have at lunch time.

As we all grew up and left Minyip, she would look forward to our visits back home and would amass a collection of goodies ( mostly food from the garden ) to take back with us before we even stepped in the door. As our numbers grew, she’d do a head count to make sure she knew where we all were and what we were doing. We’d say our goodbyes out the back and as quick as a flash she’d pop out to the front gate to wave us off again.

One of many family photos taken in the back yard at Minyip……I’m not sure where Ned is…

She was always very accepting of the lives we created for ourselves and never questioned our choices, just supported us in any decisions we made.

She loved her scrabble, crosswords, cards, bingo, footy tipping and never missed a town raffle, putting all our names down to win. We lost count of how many meat trays she had won.

She had a very kind, caring and generous nature which she lavished on her grandchildren.  She was so proud of them all and always took great interest in what they were up to.

She loved her local community and became involved in many clubs and committees. The fire brigade ladies were a huge part of her life as was the Church and the Golf Club where she was honoured by being made a Life Member.

 She continued to play golf right up into her eighties and I remember her telling us she had to be carried back to the club house one day when she was physically unable to complete the round.

The Pryor family lived opposite us for many years and Mum would always make sure that they were included in our Christmases. Frank and Aileen are both buried here nearby.

We would like to thank Peter and Sandra who lived across the road from Mum and Dad and who would always watch out for her. Mum spoke so highly of you both.

We will be eternally grateful to Dennis and Raylene for organising Mum’s transition into Allambi, their regular visits and keeping up her supply of lollies.

To the kind and caring staff at Allambi Hostel in Dimboola, we thank you for your constant care of her for 17 months.

And to the wonderful people of Minyip, we thank you for your friendship and sense of community bestowed on both Mum and Dad for over 70 years.

She loved the cheeky banter with so many of you.

She was fiercely independent until her move into Allambi when  she finally became very happy to be looked after.

None of us are wearing stripes today Mum…..you’ll be happy about that.

We are off to Emma’s cafe now too……you’ll be VERY happy about that.

I’m sure there’ll be something we’ve missed today and if we have, we can just see you raising both hands in the air and saying….” Ye Gods and little catfishes!”…. Just one of many random phrases that you’d come out with every so often.

You will always be in our hearts.

Our Mum.

Rest In Peace.

Flowers from Frogpond Farm including the very first bloom of our red wattle bush and a stem of ivy taken from a cutting from Uncle Pat’s house.

Pall bearers…..Dennis and Mum’s grandchildren Sam, Paul, Travis, Jake and Amy.

Ben and Ned placed her beloved golf clubs on top of the coffin. She has a golf ball in her pocket.

Leesa read the eulogy.

Amy, Marcia and Raylene also reminded us of why we all loved her and why she will always be remembered.

Leesa directing the troops.

Daphne sprigs for our final farewell….

Reunited with Dad and Dianne.

A perfect celebration. 

Lots of memories.

Many tears and much laughter. 

“ One of the joyous ones”…… a remark made by our funeral director.

I think Mum would be more than happy with that.