Tribute
to Kathleen Alma French
by Bill Fowler
To all who had the privilege of knowing Kathy will no doubt
join me in acknowledging that this tribute is for a very special
person.
Kathleen (nee Chapman) was born on the 24th January 1942 at
Dharmavaram in Andhra Pradash (South India). Kathy completed
her studies at St Francis Xavier’s High School, Madras. From
a young age, her prowess as an excellent sports woman was evident
in School Athletics, Field Hockey, Netball and other games,
which eventually led to her playing Hockey at State level.
Kathy and Max (French) first met in 1958/59 in Royapuram, Madras.
At that time, apart from other things, Max was also interested
in hockey - and it was destined that they should meet again
ten years later. Kathy married Max in 1968 and gave birth to
a son, Patrick, in 1969.
Sadly, not long after Patrick was born, Kathy suffered a setback
in health. However, in spite of her illness, she supported Max
in his involvement with Welfare (FINS/HMSI) and the AI Association
(Community) in India.
Her tenacity for helping the under privileged involved being
an active member:
· Of the Friend In Need Society (FINS) Bangalore for
7 years
· For 10 years in India with the (Home Mission Society
India) HMSI Boarding Home and School for under privileged children
(which she continued to support from Australia.)
Events that brought great joy, apart from meeting Max, was
migrating to Australia, witnessing the marriage of her son Patrick
to Doris, and becoming a grandmother to Michael and Jarrod -
which was the pinnacle of her life’s joys - that was so noticeable.
Her son Patrick’s memory of his mother: Is of a person who
was gentle, kind and incredibly strong. And I quote Patrick’s
words: -
“Mum was generous, always took my side over dad’s - so I generally
won.
Mum probably knew more doctors and nurses around the world than
anyone else. Not once did she let the pain affect her relationship
with dad or me. She always seemed to be smiling. She was spiritually
and mentally the strongest person I ever met. She guarded her
family with great strength, and was an extremely private person.
I don’t remember Mum ever getting angry.”
Doris, her daughter-in-law, filled the void of the daughter
that she always wanted.
With the arrival of the two grandsons, photographs of her son
that adorned the walls were brought down and replaced with photographs
of the new generation. The grandsons delighted in her reading
a book to them, or massaging their feet.
(Placed in the mailbox is a Letter of Farewell with words and
drawings to Nan from her two grand-children.)
Kind and gentle persuasion was the essence and strength of
Kathy’s character. Her soft voice, warm personality and quiet
manner endeared her to a number of people.
To all who knew Kathy, her determination to overcome the setbacks,
resulted in achievements that could be referred to as a “faith
that moved mountains. With her gentle, kindly disposition and
a profound trust in God, Kathy attained most of life’s desires
as a quiet achiever
Right to the very end she never changed her focus on helping
the needy. As most of you may be are aware, she requested that
a contribution be made to HMSI, instead of flowers for today.
In bidding farewell to Kathy, while she will be missed by all
loved ones, family and friends, we are comforted knowing that
Kathy has left this world of pain, loss and death to be with
Jesus on her way to God’s Kingdom, where one day we shall all
meet again.
The
City of Sydney's Favorite Son
Lost but not Forgotten
Adolphus
Royce Jacob
26th August 1939 - 1st July 2004
Born in Tangasseri, near
the Kerala coast in South India, he was the fifth of six children
and studied in Infant Jesus High School. Adolphus formative
years in a strong knit family and these picturesque surroundings
led him into a life of sport, spending a large measure of his
youth, shuttling between tournaments across the sub continent.
He represented his state
in Soccer and Hockey and was an exceptional 400 metres sprinter.
He spent the last decade in coaching and playing in an Anglo-Indian
team in the state tournament. He proudly steered the team into
winning the state trophy on two occasions. In Community sporting
gatherings he was always in the forefront on the field.
ARAIA honored Adolphus
in the year 2000 for his contribution to sport in Sydney.
"There is nothing
better for me than to catch the spellbound faces of spectators
enjoying the Magic of Adolphus Jacob Hockey team. Supported
by his family- an example of a family working together, we were
back every week to socialise, have a laugh and to reduce our
stress levels."
Courtesy ARAIA 2000 Yearbook.
Joining the railways as
a locomotive engineer, he left the locomotive depot at Gooty
on emigration to Australia in the Year 1973, where he continued
and retired after a successful career in various capacities
as a Bogie engineer, Rolling Stock Manager and Business Manager
of the New South Wales, State Railway.
He was extremely protective
of his workforce and stood up to Management in the process of
restructuring.
Adolph was attracted to
helping people. He had absolutely no ego, and was a devout man
of strong principles and Integrity. He didn't feel he ever had
to prove anything to anyone. His family and community was his
passion. Always happy and fun loving he supported community
organizations, especially those who worked for the good of the
community.
An eternal optimist
he frowned on organizers, who gathered the community together
and spent proceeds on picnics and parties. A familiar Helper
and Fund raiser for the HMSI stall at Merrylands market, helping
to raise funds for indigent Anglo Indian children, he did not
hesitate to reduce the cost or offer items free to the needy
passerby.
The Community
gathered to bid farewell in a Church filled to overflowing with
Relatives, friends and those who valued and treasured his companionship.
ARAIA laid floral
Tributes to the loss of a favorite Silver member and on behalf
of the Governing Council and Members expressed our sympathy
to his family Deanna, Shelton & Salwa & grandson Abraham,
Lester & Karen.
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