Feb2012_VALE Molly McKenzie
6-04-1923 to 4-12-2011
Mollie, as she was affectionately known, was born Mary Josephine Clune on 6 April 1923, the youngest of 6 children. Her parents, Patrick and Johanna Clune, farmed a property at Whiteside Road, Samsonvale, where Mollie grew up.
Much to her dismay, she was sent away to school at Redcliffe, and it was there that she learned music (she was a great piano player). She wasn’t averse to school, but absolutely hated the beach and being away from her family, and was always glad to get back to the farm. After her school days were over, she worked on the farm until she was married.
She married Gordon Douglas McKenzie on 16 November 1957. They went on to have four children – Kevin, Heather, Catherine and Patrica. They were very family orientated, and had close relationships with, in particular, Gordon’s sister and brothers and their children. The cousins could often be found together, playing and getting up to mischief, in their childhood years. Mollie’s brother Jack, sister Kathleen and nephew Jim, continued on the farm until it was resumed by the building of the North Pine Dam.
Christmas was a time for Mollie’s family, including her sister from Windsor with her family of three boys and their families, to gather at Mollie and Gordon’s house for a huge Christmas dinner. There would always be about 27 people – an enormous task in the horrendous heat of December! And always, there were plenty of willing helpers to go and do the milking with Jim in the afternoon, before coming back to the house for another feast in the evening.
New Year was also cause for celebration – this time, usually with the musically inclined McKenzie brothers and their families. Mollie loved to play all the old songs, in particular the Scottish and Irish ballads that she grew up with. Many a time, the parties would still be going at dawn on New Year’s Day, and the sanitation man (outside toilets only in those days!) would be welcomed with a beer to celebrate!
Like a lot of people of their generation, Mollie and Gordon never had a great deal of money, but they always managed to get by, and the kids never went without what was really needed. Sadly, when the kids were still quite young, Gordon became ill. Mollie then went out to work at the old bakery in town, and was a fixture there for many years. She also worked for a time at the café – all while taking care of four kids and helping out with the CWA caterings whenever and wherever needed.
On 12 July 1973, Gordon passed away, and through sheer determination and hard slog, Mollie carried on to raise her four children. She worked for many years, and when she retired, went on to volunteer at Dayboro Respite Care for many more years.
Mollie will be remembered by all – for her community spirit, her strength as a single mum – and is survived by her four children, eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Mum/Grandma, we love you and miss you – rest in peace.
