In Loving Memory

Janet Therese Rohan29th September 1937- 17th November 2020

Service held at

Tobin Brothers Chapel

146 Park Rd, Cheltenham

Wednesday 25th November 2020

Jan’s family would like to express their appreciation

for the thoughts, care and support given to them

during this time of loss.

ORDER OF SERVICE

Welcome Song“Supermarket Flowers”—Ed Sheeran

Welcome & IntroductionJill Hosken—Celebrant

A Brother’s ReflectionFr. Bill Gill

Janet’s StoryChristine Macri & Andrea Parker

TributeLegacy of Love – AnonJames & Daniel Macri

Photographs & Memories“Somewhere over the Rainbow”—Israel Kamakawiwo’ole

TributeAndrea Parker

Farewell song“Songbird” – Fleetwood Mac

Jan’s Story - Christine Macri & Andrea Parker

While working at GJ Coles mum met Kevin Rohan who was to become her husband and life partner. It was then she swapped the snow for the water. The two enjoyed island holidays & the beach, dad with his fishing and mum with a cocktail on the sand.

They went on to have 3 daughters myself, Fiona & Andrea. Mum left work choosing to stay at home doting on her girls. She fancied herself as a hair-dresser - giving us the female bowl cuts and as a dressmaker – making outfits for her then to our annoyance miniature matching versions for us.

She loved gardening and would spend many hours planting, weeding and watering. The garden was always beautiful and brought her much joy. As children mum ensured we were given many opportunities to grow, explore and learn. This came through swimming lessons and squad, tennis lessons, piano lessons, Brownies (Girl Guides), youth groups and guitar lessons – some we liked some we endured.

Mum started playing tennis and liked it, more a social thing than for the sport. She decided that I should play. I started lessons in Brady Rd East Bentleigh on a Saturday morning with Dad taking me. After a few weeks I was really not enjoying it so dad bribed me with a raspberry lemonade after each lesson at was the then South Side Six Hotel. This kept mum happy and she was none the wiser.

Slowly we cut back on the time at tennis and increased the time spent in the pub until we got to the stage where I left home in my lovely home made tennis dresses but never got to the court at all – instead I spent many Saturdays watching up and coming bands like Jo Jo Zep and the Falcons practicing for

their upcoming gigs. A secret between Dad and I but it kept Mum happy for about 2 years! Sorry Mum.

Mum played the piano beautifully and we would often hear her playing as we walked up the driveway coming home from school. Fiona loved sitting at the piano with Mum on the stool ‘with the secret compartment’ that held Mums music books. She tried to copy Mum by playing loudly anytime the piano lid was left unlocked - this led to Fiona starting weekly piano lessons. She practiced and became pretty good building a strong bond with Mum through their love of music and appreciation for the lovely old piano which she went on to keep once Mum & Dads home was sold.

Growing up mum and dad were very social and had a tight knit crew of friends and neighbours who regularly took turns in dinner nights and drinks. Mum loved to be the life of the party and the centre of attention. The Christmas champagne breakfasts were a favourite as were the pool parties. She liked a Pimms in the afternoon, but champagne was her drink of choice. I remember mum drinking champagne with Patricia from next door in a deep freezer! I remember waking up after a party one morning to find furniture in the pool! I remember hitting my 30s and thinking OMG I’m so like my mother! But proud of it.

As a family we spent many summer holidays in Qld and even drove as far as Palm Cove chasing the sun and beaches. Mum loved to travel and once we were old enough to be trusted at home, she and Dad enjoyed many OS trips together. Her favourite places were the Amalfi Coast and Fiji but Hong Kong for jewellery shopping! Again, OMG I’m so like my mother! But proud of it.

Mum was always supportive and caring and really came into her own when she become a grandmother. James & Daniel have many wonderful memories of time spent with mum and their love of the water was cemented through the many hours they spent floating around in and playing in the pool with her. She was a regular at Play Group, Kinder and School supporting and en-joying whatever the boys were doing.

Her youngest grandchild, Justin, was treasured when he came along and she loved him dearly. Unfortunately, he was still quite young when Mum first showed signs of Dementia.

Dementia stole her from us several years before her death and Princeton View Aged Care in East Brighton became her home where the wonderful staff there took great care of mum. The last few years have been very hard, to watch what was once such a vibrant outgoing woman struggle with her health and memory. To no longer recognise us was hard for us and we know it would have broken mum’s heart. As hard as it is to say goodbye, the relief that her struggle is over and that she is at peace with dad brings us comfort.

She will always be remembered and loved.

Legacy of Love - Daniel & James Macri

A wife, a mother, a nanna too, This is the legacy we have from you

You taught us love and how to fight You gave us strength, you gave us might.

A stronger person would be hard to find, And in your heart you were always kind.

You fought for us all in one way or another Not just as a wife not just as a mother.

For all of us you gave your best And now the time has come for you to rest. So go in peace, you’ve earned your sleep.

Tribute - Andrea Parker

Our mum was a woman like no other.

She gave us life, nurtured us, taught us, dressed us, fought for us, held us.

Her arms were always open when we needed a hug, her heart understood when we needed a friend,

her gentle eyes were stern when we needed a lesson, her strength and love has guided us.

She loved us unconditionally.

There are not enough words we can say to describe just how important our mother was to us,

and what a powerful influence she will always be.

Our minds know that you are in a better place where there is no pain. You are at peace.

We understand that, we just wish we could explain it to our hearts.

Service held at

Tobin Brothers Chapel

146 Park Rd, Cheltenham

Wednesday 25th November 2020

Jan’s family would like to express their appreciation

for the thoughts, care and support given to them

during this time of loss.

In Loving Memory

Janet Therese Rohan29th September 1937- 17th November 2020