Grace English RIP

I invite those present to take a few minutes to reflect on the life of Grace English our dearly departed wife, mother, daughter, daughter in law, sister, sister in law, cousin, auntie and fantastic friend who entered eternal life on the morning of Sunday the 19th of June aged 42.

Grace was born to Sam and Mary **** in Innisfail in 1969 and attended Good Counsel College in Innisfail prior to attending boarding school in Herberton. She then worked for the Innisfail Police Service and during that time joined the Catholic Youth Movement in Innisfail. This is where I met her for the first time at a seafood cabaret where we both instantly fell in love with each other at first sight.

Soon we became engaged and during that time unfortunately her brother passed away. We became married on 18th August 1990 by Father Barry who is presiding over her final ceremony. Soon we were expecting our first child, but that was not to be as Stephen was a full term stillbirth. David, our surviving son was born about a year later followed by Olivia 2 years after that.

Anyone who has ever met our children can agree on the remarkable way Grace has molded and guided them into the mature young adults they are today. On behalf of my children I wish to thank Grace for this achievement, perhaps the highest achievement a mother can make.

Grace had other hidden talents brought forth by our marriage. She has the most beautiful golden voice and was able to demonstrate this on the airways as a DJ to many in Bundaberg while employing her phenomenal knowledge of current music.

She was also versatile in running the many businesses we were involved in from Sugar Cane farming, banana production, even auto spare parts as well as a financial products business.

She also attended university to obtain a Bachelor in Business Degree. The university has recognized this fact by awarding her a certificate of achievement. During this time she met many people and could never resist helping those much less fortunate than herself.

She went out of her way to help various people to move house if facing eviction, helped them practically and with sage advice. She didn’t have to, but she did as per the great faith she possessed. A true hero of the down trodden. I stand in awe of my wife. What a wonderful person to have the privilege to share my life with, she shall be remembered and missed by all she ever came into contact with.

I came across an underlined section in her personal bible that I may wish to share with all. Its from Mathew 7 verse 12 and it succinctly sums up this aspect of Grace. “Do unto others what you want them to do for you: this is the meaning of the law of Moses and the teaching of the prophets”. (Good News Bible Catholic Study Edition, Thomas Nelson Publisher, 1979).

Thanks for your wonderful life Grace. It has been a privilege and honor to share it with you.

Eulogy to be given by me at Graces service