14 March 2006, Melbourne, Australia
Reflections on our Mum, by Helen and Susan
Mum, you often said to us that you weren’t good at much and didn’t have much of an education, having left school at a very early age. It made Helen and I sad when you talked like that. You surely didn’t realise how amazing you were in our eyes, and the achievements you accomplished in your wonderful lifetime. You could teach a thing or two to the gardeners, tilers, painters, dressmakers and the cooks of today. Our gardens have always been filled with picture perfect geraniums, petunias and hydrangeas. You found great pleasure in digging, pruning, planting and watering, almost on a daily basis. You tried to teach Helen to trim a branch using a bow saw but she couldn’t even get it started!
You always loved painting- no room was left untouched. Kitchen cupboards at Box Hill would get a regular up-dated look. As were growing up we vividly remember our beautiful mauve and lemon bedroom, a fashion statement long before its time. And, of course, for a different look you even had a go at hanging wallpaper. You also tried some tiling- the back veranda and my bathroom. No wonder you loved those trips to Bunnings.
Dressmaking of course was your speciality- wardrobes of dresses for us both. School uniforms, concert costumes, First Holy Communion, debutante, bride and brides’ maid’s dresses, your own Mother of the Bride dress and matching jacket. Only occasionally would a pattern not come together for you and it would end up in the St Vincent Paul’s donation bag. And a new room was not complete until it was furnished with new curtains and cushions.
One particularly intense memory for Helen was the beautifully made Mammy doll Mum created, down to a brass curtain earring, check skirt and woollen hair. She was proudly displayed at school on the blackboard ledge before being shipped off to some needy child in a poor country. Helen felt hers looked so much nicer than all the others, and felt so proud of you, Mum.
Knitting was another skill that never left you. We were always warm in one of Mum’s jumpers. As a seven-year-old, Ben especially loved his Bart Simpson jumper. And of course, the sweet baby jacket just completed. She was so excited about the prospect of becoming a great grandmother.
Cooking was another great pleasure she found pleasure in. Susan and her would often trade recipes, with cakes and slices her speciality. There was always a new favourite- Betty cakes, yo-yos, lattice biscuits with cream cheese filling and most recently almond shortbread biscuits. Mum always made fish and chips on a Friday night- no take-away for us! And every visitor to afternoon tea left with a parcel of Mum’s homemade goodies.
Mum could teach a thing or two to the nannies of today too. The grandchildren were always occupied when Granma was around. A special memory for me, and for her for that matter, was taking Benjamin and Daniel for walks in the proam or the pusher. Down to the shops they’d go and for a break, sit in the bus stop to count the cars travelling along the highway. And a day’s childcare usually included Mum tackling the ironing basket for us too!
So it wasn’t the extravagant life for Mum. She certainly appreciated the simple things of life- few fancy holidays or restaurant meals for her. Many a summer holiday spent at Truman’s Road, Rosebud or Flat 4, Golden Park Flats in Tootgarook. Flat 4 was a converted garage that Mum made feel like a palace.
She loved a simple outing to Forest Hill or to see the old dears at the Nursing Home even after Dad had gone. She loved meeting Molly for a coffee or a game of cards at Evergreen.
Mum, your talents were many and you asked for so little in return. Your children and grandchildren may display some of those talents but you were the master. You certainly taught us the value of doing a job yourself and doing it well. Now it is your time to rest. We all know how much you loved us. We hope you knew how much we all loved you.
Frieda Isworth died on 6 March 2006