Email Tributes
and Cards
Rest in Peace
Olive Maisie McLeod
(nee Milne)

24th March 1924 - 16th October 2009

Funeral Service at the Newhaven Crematorium , Mackay Queensland
 Thursday October 22nd 2009

Eulogy
(written by David McLeod, delivered by Rod McLeod)


WELCOME

I would like to welcome you all here to celebrate the life of Olive McLeod.

Now I know this ceremony may seem a little strange to you, but knowing Olive as you all do perhaps it may not seem so strange after all when you think about it.

Olive loved a party.

She always said she would like to be able to participate at her own funeral, but not one with all the somber music and words.

So we will try to do just that.

Yesterday, Olive was cremated here at a private ceremony.

So there will be no coffin, no somber words or music, just us bunch of friends and relatives doing just what she wanted, having a party to celebrate her life, not her passing.

Let's get on with it!




HISTORY.

Everybody here knows Olive!

But only in little bits and pieces.

Few knew all of the real Olive, as her life was diverse and spread over the world. We are going to go back in time, and try to explain all her life, and you will understand where and why you all were part of it.


Olive Maisie Milne was born on the 24th of March 1925, in Mackay, daughter of Andrew Brough and Annie Milne, sister to Winnie, Grace, and Gladys, and later to Colin. The family home was at 20 Malcom Street North Mackay.

Olive came from a long line of pioneers settling in Mackay, Nebo and parts of the district. Her father was a well known engineer who has left his stamp on Mackey, a visit to the local Mackey museum will tell you more about his history.

Olive was educated in the local Mackay schools, I am sure some of her old school friends are here today!   She spent a large amount of her free time at her favorite place, Eimeo.

She was a keen student, and wanted to continue her education past the level where girls normally left, but she was thwarted in these efforts by the social values at that time, where girls were expected to learn more of a marriage role that that of an educational one.

The war changed that!

THE WAR YEARS.



Olive joined the Woman's Royal Australia RAAF, and off to Brisbane she went!

Her first posting was as a Teletype operator, based at Newfarm Barracks, where she met many new friends.

We aren't going to go through the war time hardships she would have encountered, except to say that's where she met Tom, and I don't think that was any sort of hardship at all!

MARRIAGE.


Her wedding to Tom was delayed several times, due to Tom being overseas doing his part in the war, but eventually the big day came on the 1st of June, 1946, when she and Tom took their vows in the Mackay Presbyterian Church.

This is the start Of Olive's New World.







THE RAAF YEARS.

Olive resigned from the RAAF in September 1945, but the RAAF was not done with her yet, not by a long shot. Her marriage to Tom was to ensure a long relationship with the RAAF, taking her all over the world.

In September 1947, her first born son Rod appeared on the scene.
This coincided with the start of her first O/S trip to New Guinea, where Tom had a 2 year posting.

That was the start of a life in the moving lane.
Port Moresby 1947
Darwin 1948
Sydney/Mackay 1950 (Korea) (David appeared on the scene.)
Sydney 1952
England 1953
Sydney 1956
Nowra 1960
Townsville 1964
Sydney 1968
Townsville 1971
Retired 1979



The Airforce had led them on its merry way, but after Tom's retirement, Olive's new life would take another turn.
.



THE UNIVERSITY YEARS.

Tom's new job at the James Cook University in Townsville opened up new possibilities for Olive, as this was to be a permanent position, no more postings!
Olive opened her creative and business ideas and Tom joined the Angling Club.

BACK TO MACKAY


When Tom retired from the University, a decision was made to return to Mackay.
They designed and built a new house in Shoal Point, a whole new garden to plan and entertainment area to complete.

Tom passed away on the 25th of March 1997.
The house in Shoal Point held too many good memories, and Olive decided to start this phase of her life in a new house in North Mackay, close to her birthplace.









GOLD COAST

Olive moved to the Gold Coast to be close to her nieces and with her new friend Don made the move.




BACK TO MACKAY AGAIN.

Olive decided the Gold Coast was not her style, and made the move back to Mackay, buying a house and settling into Andergrove.

PARTIES AND FRIENDS.


"Count your age with friends but not with years" (anon)

If this saying is true, Olive lived for a very, very long time!
She had a natural ability to make and keep friends, some friendships going back 70 years!








MUSIC

Music played a large part in Olive's life, not only for her but for the entire family.
Olive played the Guitar, the mouth organ, piano, and is a renowned wash board player!

Rod was blessed with a great musical talent, and plays, composed and sings songs of every kind. David is a fair hand with a CD player.



HOBBIES AND OTHER INTERESTS
Gardening.

Olive the Volunteer.

Another of Olive's traits was that of caring.

She gave much of herself in helping others and causes.
Over the years Olive donated her time to
Libraries,
Tourist organizations,
The Red Cross,
Different Museums
Meals on Wheels,
Local charities in different locations,
Australia Day Associations,

PETS.
Olives love of animals shows through with the large variety of pets she has had over the years.
Dogs of different varieties, Canaries, budgerigars, gallahs, wild birds she has rescued and released, the list goes on!

Olive formed several businesses, the first being TOS, Townsville Organizing Services, which organized cleaning services, child minding, delivers services, you name it.
The business thrived and Olive moved on to Big Jack Shirt Shack, where her sewing skills made shirts for large people.

And all of this while being a mum and housewife.

TRAVELLING


"Olive was a Traveller, not a Tourist"


The RAAF fed Olive's taste for travel, and after the parting of the ways, Olive branched out to see as much of Australia and the world as she could.

 Australia.

Every state in Australia, plus many exciting trips through places not on the beaten track. On safari by 4 wheel drive through the West and Cape York, helicopter rides through the outback in WA, the Bungle Bungles, Ayres Rock, Alice Springs, many more, Olive saw them all.
And she didn't limit herself to Australia.


Rest of the world.

The Americas, Mexico, South Africa, the UK, all were on Olive's list.
And everywhere she went, more friends were added to her already huge list.



I'M NOT JUST A MOTHER YOU KNOW!

And she wasn't.

Olive was many things during her sojourn here,

Law Secretary
Receptionist
Accounts Clerk
Newsmagazine editor
Organiser
Short storywriter
Inveterate "letter to the editor" writer
Historian
Businesswoman
Musician
Volunteer



CLOSURE

That brings us to an end of this story of Olive's history.

We hope you now have a fuller picture of Olive's life story.

We would appreciate it if you can fill in any gaps or would like to add any comments.

Olive was full of life, loved dancing, partying and being with her huge range of friends.

So don't be sad about her passing, be happy that she led a full and interesting life, and that she will be well remembered by all who knew her.
Rest in Peace
Olive Maisie McLeod
(nee Milne)

24th March 1924 - 16th October 2009

Funeral Service at the Newhaven Crematorium , Mackay Queensland
 Thursday October 22nd 2009

Eulogy
(written by David McLeod, delivered by Rod McLeod)


WELCOME

I would like to welcome you all here to celebrate the life of Olive McLeod.

Now I know this ceremony may seem a little strange to you, but knowing Olive as you all do perhaps it may not seem so strange after all when you think about it.

Olive loved a party.

She always said she would like to be able to participate at her own funeral, but not one with all the somber music and words.

So we will try to do just that.

Yesterday, Olive was cremated here at a private ceremony.

So there will be no coffin, no somber words or music, just us bunch of friends and relatives doing just what she wanted, having a party to celebrate her life, not her passing.

Let's get on with it!




HISTORY.

Everybody here knows Olive!

But only in little bits and pieces.

Few knew all of the real Olive, as her life was diverse and spread over the world. We are going to go back in time, and try to explain all her life, and you will understand where and why you all were part of it.


Olive Maisie Milne was born on the 24th of March 1925, in Mackay, daughter of Andrew Brough and Annie Milne, sister to Winnie, Grace, and Gladys, and later to Colin. The family home was at 20 Malcom Street North Mackay.

Olive came from a long line of pioneers settling in Mackay, Nebo and parts of the district. Her father was a well known engineer who has left his stamp on Mackey, a visit to the local Mackey museum will tell you more about his history.

Olive was educated in the local Mackay schools, I am sure some of her old school friends are here today!   She spent a large amount of her free time at her favorite place, Eimeo.

She was a keen student, and wanted to continue her education past the level where girls normally left, but she was thwarted in these efforts by the social values at that time, where girls were expected to learn more of a marriage role that that of an educational one.

The war changed that!

THE WAR YEARS.



Olive joined the Woman's Royal Australia RAAF, and off to Brisbane she went!

Her first posting was as a Teletype operator, based at Newfarm Barracks, where she met many new friends.

We aren't going to go through the war time hardships she would have encountered, except to say that's where she met Tom, and I don't think that was any sort of hardship at all!

MARRIAGE.


Her wedding to Tom was delayed several times, due to Tom being overseas doing his part in the war, but eventually the big day came on the 1st of June, 1946, when she and Tom took their vows in the Mackay Presbyterian Church.

This is the start Of Olive's New World.







THE RAAF YEARS.

Olive resigned from the RAAF in September 1945, but the RAAF was not done with her yet, not by a long shot. Her marriage to Tom was to ensure a long relationship with the RAAF, taking her all over the world.

In September 1947, her first born son Rod appeared on the scene.
This coincided with the start of her first O/S trip to New Guinea, where Tom had a 2 year posting.

That was the start of a life in the moving lane.
Port Moresby 1947
Darwin 1948
Sydney/Mackay 1950 (Korea) (David appeared on the scene.)
Sydney 1952
England 1953
Sydney 1956
Nowra 1960
Townsville 1964
Sydney 1968
Townsville 1971
Retired 1979



The Airforce had led them on its merry way, but after Tom's retirement, Olive's new life would take another turn.
.



THE UNIVERSITY YEARS.

Tom's new job at the James Cook University in Townsville opened up new possibilities for Olive, as this was to be a permanent position, no more postings!
Olive opened her creative and business ideas and Tom joined the Angling Club.

BACK TO MACKAY


When Tom retired from the University, a decision was made to return to Mackay.
They designed and built a new house in Shoal Point, a whole new garden to plan and entertainment area to complete.

Tom passed away on the 25th of March 1997.
The house in Shoal Point held too many good memories, and Olive decided to start this phase of her life in a new house in North Mackay, close to her birthplace.









GOLD COAST

Olive moved to the Gold Coast to be close to her nieces and with her new friend Don made the move.




BACK TO MACKAY AGAIN.

Olive decided the Gold Coast was not her style, and made the move back to Mackay, buying a house and settling into Andergrove.

PARTIES AND FRIENDS.


"Count your age with friends but not with years" (anon)

If this saying is true, Olive lived for a very, very long time!
She had a natural ability to make and keep friends, some friendships going back 70 years!








MUSIC

Music played a large part in Olive's life, not only for her but for the entire family.
Olive played the Guitar, the mouth organ, piano, and is a renowned wash board player!

Rod was blessed with a great musical talent, and plays, composed and sings songs of every kind. David is a fair hand with a CD player.



HOBBIES AND OTHER INTERESTS
Gardening.

Olive the Volunteer.

Another of Olive's traits was that of caring.

She gave much of herself in helping others and causes.
Over the years Olive donated her time to
Libraries,
Tourist organizations,
The Red Cross,
Different Museums
Meals on Wheels,
Local charities in different locations,
Australia Day Associations,

PETS.
Olives love of animals shows through with the large variety of pets she has had over the years.
Dogs of different varieties, Canaries, budgerigars, gallahs, wild birds she has rescued and released, the list goes on!

Olive formed several businesses, the first being TOS, Townsville Organizing Services, which organized cleaning services, child minding, delivers services, you name it.
The business thrived and Olive moved on to Big Jack Shirt Shack, where her sewing skills made shirts for large people.

And all of this while being a mum and housewife.

TRAVELLING


"Olive was a Traveller, not a Tourist"


The RAAF fed Olive's taste for travel, and after the parting of the ways, Olive branched out to see as much of Australia and the world as she could.

 Australia.

Every state in Australia, plus many exciting trips through places not on the beaten track. On safari by 4 wheel drive through the West and Cape York, helicopter rides through the outback in WA, the Bungle Bungles, Ayres Rock, Alice Springs, many more, Olive saw them all.
And she didn't limit herself to Australia.


Rest of the world.

The Americas, Mexico, South Africa, the UK, all were on Olive's list.
And everywhere she went, more friends were added to her already huge list.



I'M NOT JUST A MOTHER YOU KNOW!

And she wasn't.

Olive was many things during her sojourn here,

Law Secretary
Receptionist
Accounts Clerk
Newsmagazine editor
Organiser
Short storywriter
Inveterate "letter to the editor" writer
Historian
Businesswoman
Musician
Volunteer



CLOSURE

That brings us to an end of this story of Olive's history.

We hope you now have a fuller picture of Olive's life story.

We would appreciate it if you can fill in any gaps or would like to add any comments.

Olive was full of life, loved dancing, partying and being with her huge range of friends.

So don't be sad about her passing, be happy that she led a full and interesting life, and that she will be well remembered by all who knew her.
Many thanks to all those who sent email tributes.
Irma and Horst Raetzer.

To Rod, David and Family.
 
We have known your Mother for a number of Years and we both where in Neighbourhood Watch. It was a real pleasure to have known your Mother a lovely and down to Earth Lady.

We had lost touch and last Year we met up in Mount Pleasant Shopping Centre and  have exchanged e mail since then.
 
We are deeply sorry for your loss.

Thank you so much, for letting us know.

As we are in Tassie, we can not attend the Funeral.

We always will have fond memories of your Mother.

Kind regards to you, from Irma and Horst Raetzer.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr Reinhold K Duelberg

Have just arrived in Cairns to hear of Olivia's passing.
 
I only met her  a couple of years ago, and only had a little time with her, but feel a better person for having met her.
 
Her last email e-mail said it all, she had lived a full and meaningfull life, with no regrets and only good memories.
 
Long live her memory, may she rest in peace with her loved one
 
Reini
------------------------------------------------------------------------
John and Kim Kelly

Rod,  thank you for the email.

On I think the 8th October I phoned and spoke to Olive, and told her that my mother
Betty Kelly had passed away.  Betty is Don Fifes sister. Betty was diagnosed with cancer mid July, and like Don, the eventual passing was relatively quick.

Olive sounded strong within herself, she was an amazing lady.

Our thoughts in Kiwi land are with you.

John and Kim Kelly

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Barrie Chataway

Dear Rod
 
Thank you for the email on Olive's passing and for funeral arrangements on her  website.
 
Olive must have been very pleased to have you and family with her and to have David  come back from Italy.
 
Olive had a lengthy and, I am sure, a happy life. She always sounded lively and with lots of interets.
 
My first experience of her was when my mother took me on a trip to Mackay when I was 11 years of age. We went to Eimeo, of course, and Olive took me for a ride in  her canoe up the creek there. I thought it was great.
 
I recall it was just after Colin had had his mastoid operation. It was considered  very dangerous surgery at the time. Colin was not allowed to swim so his father was making a sailing boat for him.
 
I regret that I will not be with you tomorrow. Please accept my apologies and know  you will all be in my thoughts and prayers.
 
Mel and I extend our sympathy to you all. I trust we will remain in touch. Olive would like that.
 
Sincerely
 
Barrie Chataway
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Susan Rockliff, John Hawkins, Alexina and Rosina Hawkins

Dear Rod and Su

Thank you very much for letting me know of Olive's death.  For various reasons, I have not accessed my email messages since the end of last week until today, and  your message was sent on my daughter's sixteenth birthday. 

Rosina has good  memories of Olive, as does my elder daughter Alexina.  Olive was such a character, and youthful in her outlook in many ways.  She taught Rosie how to fold lotus  shaped paper napkins when we visited her in Mackay in July 2003, and Rosie has made  hundreds since.

Olive and Tom were very kind and welcoming to me when I moved to Townsville in  1985.  I was invited to Olive's 60th birthday celebration in March of that year. 
She certainly knew how to have a good time, and she and Tom were great hosts.

I would like to write to Su:  would you please send me your postal address/email  address.

I will think of Olive and you on Thursday afternoon.

Sincere condolences,

Susan Rockliff, John Hawkins, Alexina and Rosina Hawkins

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Keith and Daphne Tongue

Dear Rod and David

Of course I have been expecting an E mail such as yours..  There is nothing I can  say except that she was a dear friend over many years (as was your father).  I have fond memories of you two as little boys. 

My loving thoughts are with you both  
Daphne Tongue
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mike & Kathy Arnold

Rod - thanks for your message even though the news is sad.
 
In their contrasting ways Tom and Olive were a wonderful couple and we were lucky  to have known them.
 
Now she can have a beer with Tom.
 
Best wishes
 
Mike & Kathy Arnold
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jan Willemsen

Dear Mr. McLeod and all other relatives of Olivia,
 
Hereby I wish to express my  sympathy to all of you on the loss of your Mother and  Nanna Olivia.
 
I am happy to read that Olivia was in no pain and slipped away quietly with all her family present at the end.
 
I am very happy to have known Olivia and always will remember our humorous conversations and e-mails with a smile.
 
I wish all of you lots of strength for now and in the future.
 
With sympathy and regards,
 
Jan Willemsen
Zevenaar  The Netherlands
------------------------------------------------------------------------
kerry olsen

Rod,
 
Thank you for passing this on.  Very sad news.  She was an amazing lady. 
 
Deepest Sympathy to all of the family.  I will be sending card to Olive's Mackay  address.
 
Regards   Kerry
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jos and Mike Kelly

Hi Rod,  thank you for your e-mail and my sincere condolences.

Olive spent a lot of time recently with my uncle Don Fife, who passed away earlier  this year, and through that met my mum, Betty Kelly, who passed away two weeks ago.
 Mum was pleased to have been able to have visited MacKay last year and to spend  time with Olive, and then at Don's funeral.  She also appreciated immensely the support she got from Olive as they shared the same illness.

Attached is a photo of Mum and Olive with Don's bike at Don's funeral.

Her passing was similar to Mum's in many way in that she was in no pain, and had  family with her at the end, and that is the best we could hope for.

Our thoughts are with you at this time.

Jos and Mike Kelly
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Deslia Harris

Thank you, Rod.  I am really, really sorry to hear of Olive's passing.  She was one of the lovely ladies of this world and I am privileged to have known her.  (She and  my stepdad, Reg Davis, were cousins.) 

My prayers are with you all.
 
Kind regards
Deslia Harris
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jeffrey Smith

Dear Rod,
 
I am so very sorry to hear this news. My heart goes out to you and David. I want  you both to know that when your family came to live in Townsville all those years  ago it made the Smith family's lives so much more interesting. I will always  remember the day that your mum came in to Thomas Brown where i worked and no one  could believe that she was then 40 as they thought she was in her twenties.
 
I am so sorry Rod that i missed you by one hour when I was in Mackay last time and  that I cannot come back from Taiwan for many reasons. However i feel sure that  Olive knew the reason why I returned earlier this year. I cannot comprehend the  loss yet but know how you must be feeling right now because of the loss of my mum  and dad which seems like yesterday.   
 
Thinking of both your families,
 
Love from cousin jeff who remembers you more from when we were all children at Eimeo.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Denis Arcand
 
Hello Rod

Just a quick email to let you know that I am saddened to hear of Olive's passing.

I did not realize just how serious she was as she continued to exchange emails  right to the end as if nothing was really going on.

I will always remember your dad Tom and your mother Olive as we were friends for  some ten years when I lived in Mackay.

Olive always showed genuine interest when I would show her photos of my travels and  would ask questions, she was to me a traveller and not a tourist.

I was also interested in her web site , but did not know about it until I read  about it from you email.

I am impressed with it, and I am certain that you did help with it.

I will miss her emails and jokes.

Please keep in touch.
        
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Passing of a Leading Lady - Olive McLeod

Hello Rod,
 
Having returned home late Tuesday from a week down the coast, it was my hope your mum would be a little improved from when we last spoke and I would immediately begin preparations to visit with her in the next week or so.

It was only yesterday I learned of her passing so instead I find my self sitting at my computer at 5 minutes to 3 and looking for some small way to share in the celebration of her life as well as convey our sincere regret for the loss you and David in particular have suffered.
In a short while I will pour myself a whisky and drink a toast to an amazingly unique woman who reminded me so much of my screen idol, Katherine Hepburn and whom my husband, Ron, and I were pleased and honored to call our friend.

I attached a line of verse to my last email to her which, at the time, I hoped would simply help her through a bad patch - I had no idea how prophetic it would be.
I would now like to extend the thoughts behind the quote to include you, David and both your families - in fact, to all those who will feel the loss of her passing.
 
May your journey into tomorrow be as gentle as a puff of smoke on a summer breeze. (by A L Hollis)

 

With kind regards

Annette & Ron Oates
------------------------------------------------------------------------