Wednesday 22nd September 2010 -

Fée's Burial and Service

Attended by family and friends, on a beautiful sunny spring day, Fée was buried at 11:00am in a brief ceremony at Renmark Cemetery.  At Fée's request, an Australian flag was draped over her casket with a single Iris placed on top and after the casket was lowered, the remainder of Ian's ashes were scattered over it by Josephine, Lydia and Hague.  (Most of Ian's ashes were scattered on the River Murray at Headings Bend, a year after his death in 2002 and Fée had requested that the remainder be scattered in this way).  Fée's grandchildren then scattered fabric 'butterflies' from a basket into her grave.

The burial attended by about 30 was followed by a service at Rustons's Rose Gardens at 12:30pm, attended by about 100 friends and family under a beautiful old pear tree in blossom about a hundred metres away from the reception centre.   As requested by Fée, Col Lindner played the piano as guests arrived. 

Hague was MC and after a brief introduction, Kirstine spoke on behalf of the Harry Showell family, Josephine and Katherine Langford on behalf of Josephine's family and Alex Philp read the Woodlands School Chapter 1 Corinthians 13 on behalf of the Lydia Weigall family.    Nickola Henry then read Fée's final surprise  .., Fée had written her own eulogy ....... found with her papers.

Guests were then invited to speak and John Showell, who had flown over from Perth and Nick Kempe who had flown in from Cairns, both said a few words.

MC thanked Anne Ruston and husband Richard Fewster and also David Ruston and John and Joy Ruston and also Riverland Funerals for their efforts in providing such a wonderful venue and great send off for Fée and also Col Lindner for playing the piano.

	FÉE'S BURIAL AT RENMARK CEMETERY AT 11:00AM ON WED 22ND SEPTEMBER, FOLLOWED BY THE SERVICE AT RUSTON'S
	RUSTON'S ROSE GARDEN - MOURNERS MOVE TO THE SERVICE AREA AT 12:30PM

AT FÉE'S REQUEST COLIN LINDNER KINDLY PLAYS THE PIANO	HAGUE MC'S THE SERVICE and Kirstine Showell, Josephine Leach, Katherine Langford and Alex Philp speak, representing Fée's four children and their families;  Nickola Henry delivers Fée's eulogy written by Fée.
	SOME OF FÉE'S ART AND HER MEMOIR ARE DISPLAYED AT RUSTON'S NEW RECEPTION CENTRE AND A LIGHT LUNCH AND REFRESHMENTS ARE PROVIDED

QUITE A LARGE AREA AT THE RENMARK CEMETERY HAS BEEN OBTAINED FOR A SHOWELL FAMILY MEMORIAL SOON TO BE CONSTRUCTED AND FÉE AND IAN ARE THE FIRST TO BE HONORED HERE.

Friday 17th September 2010 -

A Very Sad Day-  Fée Passed Away Today Aged 96

Fée passed away peacefully at 4:20am, Friday 17th Sept at the Resthaven Nursing Home, Murray Bridge.  Hague was with her when she died.

Following Fée's burial at the Renmark cemetery in the morning of Wed 22nd Sept, there will be a memorial service and reception at Ruston’s Rose Garden commencing at 12:30pm.  All are welcome to attend.

DEATH NOTICE

SHOWELL, Fée Josephine, - 

Passed away peacefully on Sept 17^th aged 96 years.

Loving wife of Francis Ian Showell (deceased).

Much loved mother of Harry (deceased), Josephine, Hague and Lydia and loving grandmother and great grandmother of many.

“From quiet homes and first beginning,

Out to the undiscovered ends,

There’s nothing worth the wear of winning,

But laughter and the love of friends” by Hilaire Belloc

FUNERAL NOTICE

SHOWELL, Fée Josephine, - 

Following a burial at the Renmark cemetery there will be a memorial service and reception at Ruston’s Rose Garden at 12:30pm on Wed 22^nd Sept.  All are welcome.

Sunday 5th September 2010 -  FEE'S 96TH BIRTHDAY

A celebration of  Fée's 96th birthday (6th Sept her actual birthday) was held at Josephine's home in Murray Bridge and attended by immediate family.

	Some nice pictures of Fée taken just 12 days ago at her 96th birthday celebration.  She lifted for the occasion and enjoyed the party attended by her children and many of her grandchildren and great grandchildren.  She is seen on the left with Jessie Showell (Hague's daughter), Andrew Weigall (below left) and Carolyn  (below) and Hague. This was also the occasion of Josephine's 70th birthday (actual birthday 15th Sept).

11th August 2010 -

Ivan Walter Cunningham Passed Away Today, Aged 94

A Graveside Service to be Held at Renmark Cemetery at 11:00 am on Tuesday 17th August

The Cunningham family line of Alan Cunningham "The Poet" and General Sir Alexander Cunningham died today with the demise of Ivan who was the last male member of the clan. 

Fée's younger brother Ivan Walter Cunningham born 23rd May 1916  passed away at 1:20am in the early hours of this morning Wed 11th August 2010 at the Renmark Nursing Home.  He was very frail and died of natural causes.   Fée's granddaughter Kirstine Showell and her great-grandson Josh Showell were at Ivan's side when he died.  Ivan did not have any family of his own.

Ivan was a keen and talented golfer in his younger days and managed his parent's Bookmark Avenue fruit property Renmark for a number of years, before buying his own 'block' which he worked until he retired.  Ivan had love interests as a young man and was engaged at one point to a young German girl named Milotta.  This liaison was thwarted by his mother Elsa and he remained a bachelor for many years.

Fée recalls that Ivan was very good to her during the World War2 years when she was left alone with two young children on a fruit block and without a car.  He loved playing with Hal and Jose and would babysit for her and help with chores.

Ivan married Tina Farrant  when in his middle age in the 1960's.  Tina already had a family.  They divorced in the 1990's and Ivan remained single and never had any children of his own.   He retired to a unit at 60 Tenth Street Renmark circa 2002, living  next door to Fée for about 7 years and when he was no longer able to look after himself, moved to the Renmark Nursing Home in 2009.  In his retirement he enjoyed his final years with frequent  bus day trips.  Ivan lived a somewhat quiet and lonely life and joins his elder brother Allan who died of throat cancer/pneumonia in Adelaide in 1994 and his elder sister Betty who died of old age in the UK in 2003.  Ivan's mother and father are buried alongside each other in the old Renmark Cemetery having passed away in 1950 and 1955 respectively.

Fée who will be 96 on Sept 6th, is now the only surviving member of the Frank Cunningham family pictured.

Frank and Elsa Cunningham with children Fée, Betty and Ivan .... Alan taking the picture ... circa 1935

Alan, Ivan, Fée and Betty, circa 1916

29th July 2010

Fée's Health Has Rapidly Declined

Fée has been in the Resthaven Nursing Home at Murray Bridge for just 7 weeks now (moved in on June 4th) and her health has deteriorated dramatically in that time.  At nearly 96 it appears that she was just too old and frail for such a drastic change in her life.  A combination of changed medication, accidental handling bruising (by otherwise well meaning and caring nursing home staff) and the finality of the move itself appear to have accelerated her heart issues which had been relatively stable until the move.  Although for the first few weeks at Murray Bridge she was fairly mobile, she is now unable to use her frame or walk at all or even sit in a wheel chair.  The nursing home staff are certainly very kind and it appears to be a well run institution on the whole.   Fée still rallies to an occasion as in the visit last week by her granddaughters Alex and Nick and great-grandson Hendy - images below, but is very, very weak, struggling and out of breath most of the time now.

Down but not out!  Fée shines with a visit from pretty granddaughter Alexandra Philp (Lydia's daughter), proud mother with baby and great-grandson Hendy,   27th July 2010	Another pretty picture taken same day with Alex's big sister Nickola Henry.

Fée still has all her mental faculties, but is bedridden and mostly hand fed, can't spend much time talking and is now too weak to answer her phone.  Those old friends and relatives who want to spend some time with her, I suggest make the trip sooner rather than later and whilst she doesn't talk too much I am sure she will appreciate the visit.

Hague

10th July 2010

An Outing to Bridgeport Hotel for Lunch

Fée off to her last lunch out - Murray Bridge Hotel  10th July 2010		....and in her room afterward

At Murray Bridge Hotel  10th July 2010

4th June 2010

Fée is Moved to Murray Bridge - Resthaven!
For the last four months, Hague, Josephine and Lydia have shared the care of Fée in her own home at 60 Tenth Street Renmark and it has been a most enjoyable time for me personally (Hague), although it has involved a lot of travelling. Recently it was decided to put Fée on the waiting list for a nursing home place in case she had further setbacks where she could no longer be looked after by family at home.  The Resthaven at Swanport Rd, Murray Bridge was selected to be a nearer location for Jose and Hague.  She was assessed by Resthaven as being of high need and on the 28th May suddenly a place became available.  It was decided that it was best for her to take the opportunity rather than go to the bottom of the list should we reject the offer.  This was a huge and unexpected shock for all and we had less than a week to make the shift.   Dear Carer, Daphne brushes Fée's hair for the last time at her home in Renmark on day of departure
	Lydia & Hague load Fée's gear bound for Murray Bridge
Lydia & Jose hang pictures in Fée's new room at Resthaven
	Resthaven staff check Fée in -  this is a very sad day for me (Hague).    I hope she can adjust ?

31st January 2010

6th September 2009

16th November 2008

Fée is well and walking with assistance.  She had her 94th birthday in September and continues to receive great care from Govt support agencies at her home.  Some new images below.

9th June 2008

In the short time that Fée has been back at her home in Renmark, she has improved her mobility remarkably and is enjoying life again with wonderful assistance from carers who visit morning and evening, Meals on Wheels and of course Lydia.

18th May 2008

Having spent over 9 weeks at the Daw Park Rehab Unit in Adelaide, Fée was quite excited to be returning to her home at 10th Street Renmark on Tuesday last, 13th May.  Although she is still very determined to live at home and can move around a little on her walking frame, she is still quite weak and will need support and help from her carers for some time.... perhaps indefinitely ...

She is very appreciative of the beautiful flowers, cards, letters and supportive visits she received whilst at Daw Park from her many friends and family.  She was not able to reply or send thankyou notes, as she normally would have done, due to her failing eyesight and physical limitations and I do extend thanks to you all on her behalf.

I am sure she would appreciate calls and visits, now that she is back home and mornings are the best time to contact her as she does get very tired by early afternoon.

On behalf of the family, I thank you all once again for the generous support and interest shown Fée over the last couple of months.

Hague 18/5/08

hague@ausbrush.com

www.ausbrush.com

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Easter 2008

Image above  - Fée at Daw Park Rehabilitation Hospital -  Good Friday, March 21st,  2008

As most of you would have heard by now, Fée suffered a stroke early in March, losing use of her left arm and leg.  She spent a week in Renmark Hospital, before coming down to Daw Park Rehabilitation Unit in Adelaide where she is currently working on her recovery.

Fée is in good spirits, has lost none of her mental acumen and is very determined to recover.  She now has some use of both leg and arm and working hard on rails and frame.  In talking to another younger rehab patient, she said that "Fée is VERY determined and it made me sit up and think and try harder".

Fée had her first stroke a year ago also causing partial loss of use of her left side - but from which she fully recovered to walking normally again without a frame.  This event was more severe and time will tell ....

Happy Easter all !

Hague

hague@ausbrush.com

www.ausbrush.com