Uncle Wilson's funeral

Today we joined family and friends in Maryborough to celebrate the life of Wilson Thomsen.

 

It was a big turnout and Uncle Wilson was obviously very respected and loved in his community.  The service was really beautiful.

It was great too to catch up with cousins Paul , Craig and Peter hadn't seen for ages or in some cases ever met (eg some of Aunty Hazel's children) - they would've loved to see more of them.  It was really good to see Uncle "Nookie" also who is in poor health.  Uncle Nookie is Uncle Gilbert's older brother and son of Sophus (Dick).

Was really awesome to have Craig with us as he hadn't caught up with the QLD relatives for many years and was able to spend some time at Traveller's Rest etc.  Peter had to go back on the Tuesday but Paul, Gwenny and Craig stayed until the Wednesday.

Farewell Uncle Wilson

Wilson with his young brother Ivan in 1940

My father's brother passed away this morning. This old world has lost a very special man and won't quite be the same without him. I believe he is in a better place however, although we'll sorely miss him - especially Aunty Narelle, Karlie and Kim and their families. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all!

Uncle Wilson is the 4th and second youngest child of Noble and Jessie Thomsen (Paul's father Ivan being the youngest).   The five children in order of age are Nora, Hazel, Clyde, Wilson & Ivan.   Uncle Clyde has lost all his brothers and sisters now.

Uncle Wilson has had a long and brave struggle with serious health issues the last couple of years and we knew things were pretty dire.  The news was still a shock and very heart wrenching.

We know Uncle Wilson would not want his passing to effect our wedding celebrations and we'll therefore endeavour to enjoy things albeit with heavy hearts.  Paul, Gwenny, Craig and Peter Thomsen will extend their trip and go up to Maryborough for the funeral next week.

Michael (Mikey) Brown 15/4/86-4/1/10

Whilst on holidays in Queensland we recieved the shocking news on this day Gwenny's nephew Michael Brown has tragically passed away due to an electrical accident at home.

Mikey was only 23 years old and had only been married about a year to his beautiful wife Allison.

Mikey's parents are Gwenny's older sister Dorothy and husband Colin.  He was the youngest of the family with Nathan, James and Jonea his elder siblings.

ShirleyAnne passes away

Paul and Craig's older sister ShirleyAnne lost her battle with cancer at first light on this day.

ShirleyAnne found out she had cancer mid 2006 and initially we were given the impression by doctors that it wasn't too serious but things rapidly got worse and later last year she knew that it was very serious.

Paul had a lot of support from his employer (Batchelor Institute) and was fortunately able to spend a lot of time with her both when she was still quite mobile and then at her bedside.  He made quite a few trips and was able to stay for weeks at a time sometimes.   A lot of people were able to go with Paul on these trips to Wyndham to visit ShirleyAnne including Gwenny, Craig, Aunty Wendy, the Possinghams, and Peterboy.

 

Paul and ShirleyAnne's sister Bronwyn "Bowie" was with her when she passed away peacefully in her bed.  Her last few weeks were spent in a coma at home and she was not responsive to anyone.   We were amazed by her courage.

The funeral was held a month later on the 4th of April 2007.  It was a beautiful rainy day and a lot of family were able to attend from Darwin and elsewhere.

Paul's maternal grandmother "Nana" passes away

On Christmas Day 1998 Paul's Nana passed away after a short illness.   She had reached the age of 79 a week earlier as she was born on the 17th of December, 1919.  Paul was aged 30 and Nana had known his 3 children (her great grandchildren) which was nice.

More info to come.

Esma May Ansell (nee Patterson) with a bunch of grand kids and friends

John Mervyn Pattemore passes away

Gwenny's oldest brother John sadly passed away today after a long battle with a brain tumour.  John was aged only ?? and Gwenny was aged 29 at the time.

He was survived by his wife Annette, and children Johannah, Peter and Sam.

Gwenny with her big brother John

Uncle Peter passes away

On the 3rd of October 1992 Peter Edward Thomsen passed away at around 3pm on a Saturday afternoon in the Royal Darwin Hospital.  He had his loving family around him.

In 1988 he was diagnosed with bowel cancer and had to go to Adelaide for emergency surgery.  It took some time to recover from that but he was eventually given the "all clear" - however the cancer did return and he eventually lost his battle with it.  He was about 50 at the time and left behind his wife Wendy, and children Brett, Peter, Naree, Charles (adopted) and Jason.   Paul was aged nearly 25 at the time.  Uncle Peter was like another father to Paul and his death affected him significantly also.

Paul's Uncle Peter and Aunty Wendy

Rachel Ezzy tragically killed in car accident

Peter and Joy tragically lost their oldest daughter in July 1989 when their car lost control and rolled over on the Victoria Highway near Timber Creek.   They had their whole family in the car but no one else was seriously hurt.

Paul and Gwenny were at Gwenny's parents replace when Gwenny got the call from Joy.  Her parents were at the Darwin Show for the day.  Paul has always regretted the advice he gave Gwenny to wait until her parents got home and to tell them before telling others.  He didn't consider that they might need help to get home etc.  When the rest of the family found out later that afternoon after he had told her parents they contacted Joy and then went down to get the family and bring them home.

Rachel was aged 10 at the time.

Rachel in centre in brown jacket at Coomalie Creek

Rachel (far right background) at Gwenny's 21st

Paul's paternal grand mother Jessie passes away

We were sadly informed that Paul's grandmother Jessie Thomsen (nee Wilson) passed away today aged 81.  She was born on the 7th of October, 1905.  Her husband Noble passed away in 1967 just before Paul's parents were married.  Jessie had therefore been a widow for 20 years.

Paul remembers a graceful beautiful old lady that Craig and he were blessed to visit a few times over the years.  She lived in Maryborough.

Paul's maternal Grandfather "Poppy" passes away

Paul's grandfather Ivan "Rusty" Ansell died today aged ?? at their Wanguri home after a long illness.

His wife and Paul's Nana was aged 62 at the time.  Paul was aged 13.

Pauls father passes away

Ivan Maurice Thomsen died at the age of 35 on this day.

Ivan had been sick for a year or so with a condition the doctors described as "having the heart of an old man" although we're not sure what the proper term would be today.

Ivan had just been in hospital for a week in quite a serious condition and had been enjoying his time back home spending time with friends and family.

On Monday 25th of March he collapsed in the loungeroom at home and due to a blood clot affecting his brain (from a heart attack) never regained consciousness.  He was in a coma for 4 days when it was decided to switch his life support off on Thursday the 28th.

He left behind his young wife of 26 years of age and his two sons who were aged 5 and 4 at the time.  His daughter ShirleyAnne in Wyndham was nearly 9 years of age.

Ivan was the youngest of 5.  His older brothers Clyde and Wilson came up from Queensland for the funeral.  Paul and Craig didn't attend the funeral.  The funeral was held on the following day, Friday the 29th of March, and was conducted by the Rev D.G. McKenzie.