Eulogy for Jean Mary Cresswell
Prepared by Allan and read by daughter Jodi Bavin
Jean was born Jean Mary Marshall in Subiaco to Jack and Nell Marshall on 27th July 1947. When she was nearly two years old her only sibling Stewart John Marshall was born. They remained very close for all their lives until Stewart passed away in 2008.
She grew up in Cottesloe and attended North Cottesloe Primary School. During those primary years she was heavily involved in dancing and tap dancing. She then became interested in Tennis and won numerous State Titles as a junior player. She went on to play A Grade Pennants for Cottesloe Tennis Club and was a part of the Metropolitan A Grade Premiership side. She was also a member of the Girls State Tennis Squad.
Jean attended Hollywood High School in a Professional Class. But set her sights on being a shorthand-typist much to the dismay of her teachers. In her adult years, Jean realised that she had made a mistake. At Hollywood High School she became friends with my sister Stacey. Jean left school and attended Hartill Business College.
I attended a New Years Party, with my sister Stacey, in December 1962, where I met Jean. She was just 15 years old and I was 19 years old. I was so struck with Jean’s personality and lovely disposition that I invited her to the Cresswell family picnic at Point Walter on New Years Day. We became instant friends and announced our engagement at my 21st Birthday Party. At this time Jean was working as a Private Secretary at the Customs Laboratory in Cottesloe.
Jean and I married 15 months later on 5th February 1966. It was the longest 15 months in our lives. Jean was required to resign from the Commonwealth Public Service because she was married. We built a house in Hampton Park and Jean became employed at Sydney Atkinsons in Perth. Then along came Jodi in 1967. Shortly afterwards we decided to sell our house and buy a block of land in Sorrento. Whilst building our new home along came our son Warren. At the time we were living in a rental flat in Scarborough.
After a few years bringing up two young children Jean, rejoined the workforce working as a Private Secretary for Telecom, which is now Telstra. Then along came Kirsty our third child. Our family during these years and in subsequent years spent all our holidays in Kalbarri.
I then received a transfer as a Police Officer to Katanning where the five of us lived in a new caravan for one year until we purchased a house in the town. Kirsty was still a baby whilst Jodi and Warren went to school there. Jean fitted in so well in the town making numerous friends and enjoying the country lifestyle.
I was then transferred to Tambellup and Jean just loved this town, as did our children. Jean joined the Tennis Club and for the three years we were there won the Women’s Singles Title, Doubles Title and the Mixed Doubles Title. She then went on to Captain the Ladies team, winning the Central Great Southern Championship, whilst being the smallest town in the competition. They were invited to play the Upper Great Southern Competition Winners, which was Narrogin and again were victors, with Jean winning against a State Squad Member.
Television reception was zero in Tambellup, so Jean fell pregnant and with her parents being elderly it was time to return to Perth to a new home in Hillarys, with ocean views. Jean loved the ocean for all her life. Not long afterwards Sam was born. I was about to go on afternoon shift and Jean was kissing me goodbye when her waters broke. This had not happened before so we did not fully understand the situation. She told me all was okay, but I had just been at work a short while when Jean telephoned me to say ‘the baby is coming’. I raced home, with sirens blaring just making it in time to St John of Gods Hospital. Sam was almost born in the lift going up to the Labour Ward.
Jean had always been a committed Christian and when she became aware of the Padbury Presbyterian Church starting up we decided to join. This was early in the 1980’s and would be a lifetime decision, where we made so many wonderful friends. Jean loved her Church and the resulting fellowship. Many of our Church friends are here today to say goodbye to Jean.
Then in 1985 along came our fifth child, Joel. My Mum had pleaded for our first to be born, but was a bit angry at this new arrival. “Can’t you leave the poor girl alone” exclaimed my Mum. Jean thought it funny, but also agreed that Joel was to be our last.
Jodi and Warren went to Duncraig Senior High School but Jean wanted the others to go to St Stephens School. We couldn’t afford it on one wage, but then Jean’s lifetime friend Irene invited Jean to assist her at the Girrawheen High School Canteen, in a paid position. Jean enjoyed her time at the canteen for 26 years and for the majority was the manager there. ‘It was my best job’ she said. I had to force her to join me in retirement by planning a trip overseas.
Jean and I then had so many trips overseas, a total of fourteen, including five boat cruises. In 2008 we travelled to the Greek Island, Castellorizo, where my mother was born. Jean just loved Castellorizo, the Greek food and the people. We visited Castellorizo on four occasions between 2008 and 2017. We purchased a new 4WD and caravan in 2013 and headed off around Australia for six months. Jean loved the caravan life. Then in 2014 the worst happened. Jean had developed breast cancer, but she beat it with Chemo and a positive outlook.
With the cancer in the past, we embarked on many trips in our caravan to the Kimberley, Gibb River Road, Esperance, Goldfields and a huge eight and a half months again around Australia. We even had a Kimberly trip planned for July this year, but it was not to be.
Since 1983 I have been involved in Family History and Jean has assisted me in so many ways. Searching cemeteries with me, visiting ancestral homes and having such a positive and extraordinary supportive role for my projects. Never to complain about my time involved in numerous hours on the Internet, attending meetings or visiting people. When I became associated with the Castellorizian Association back in 2007 Jean was my biggest supporter and attended all the functions and activities, which she enjoyed immensely.
In 2009 we moved to our new townhouse in Quinns Rocks, overlooking the beach. Jean loved our home and the nearby ocean so very much, taking our dog Miley every day down to the water.
Jean spent nearly three months in hospital, bravely fighting Lymphoma Cancer with the ongoing daily support from all her immediate family. Special thanks go out to Jean’s sister in law’s, Stacey and Trish who were such a support, with their regular attendance at the hospital, to give breaks to my family.
Jean was quite a shy person in many ways, but always a caring, loving Wife, Mother and Friend to all. She was also very strong and stubborn and never wrong but we truly loved her for this.
Thank you on behalf of our family for joining us today in sharing and celebrating the life of Jean, who we all loved so much. My wife for 57 years and my best friend for 60 years. In my heart always until we meet again. Love you Jean.
