EULOGY - Margaret Jowett

Farewell notice

Last week a small group of family, friends and neighbours gathered to farewell Margaret Jowett, known to us all as Maurge.

Maurge and her husband Freddy had arrived and settled into this community in 1963, Freddy was responsible for the installation and operation of the Ionospheric station.

Soon after arrival Maurge immersed herself in community life, she had interests in the environment, history, the Arts, especially music and the Community including health and age care.

They also loved travel, most of her trips involved following one or several of her passions. Sadly her best friend and love of her life Freddy passed away in 1986, after Freddy’s passing Maurge continued with all of her interests and travel on her own.

Maurge worked at the hospital in the areas of the surgery, assisting visiting specialists and the Pharmacy. Over the years she also provided support for many ageing residents in their homes.

Maurge assisted an entomologist from the Natural History Museum London by trapping, preserving and sorting Moths for his research into the Moth species of Norfolk Island. One previously undescribed species was named after Maurge as recognition of her assistance with this work. She was a member of the Norfolk Island National Park advisory committee from its inception until recently.

For many years she organised the Government House open days, a responsibility she only relinquished a couple of years ago. She was involved with the Museum Trust and the Historical Society.

She was awarded the Order of Australia Medal in 2002 for her Community work.

It was Maurge's wish to end her days in her own home at Red Road surrounded by the nature she loved so much. Thankfully with the assistance of Dr Glen and Sandy Zerby, Dr Peter, Hospital and Ambulance staff enabled her to fulfill this wish.

Maurge passed away on 27th September 2023, she was in her ninety third year.

THANK YOU

Dear friends of Maurge, I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has been so warm and inviting. Maurge was my Aunty and after who I am named. She taught me so much. She inspired me and we shared a love of animals, nature and travel.

She was always there with wise words and comfort when I needed her. We shared many fond memories.

She loved my travel stories over the last 10 years and when I was away I would sit down each night and send 2-3 photos and a brief description of my day’s activities. She would reply saying yes she can remember when she was there, or similar.

Thank you again on behalf of my mother, Maurge’s sister Anne and myself for being such a lovely supportive community.

Fiona Wallis