Mary passed away peacefully on 12th March 2021
at Penhall, Castlemaine, her home for the past seven years.
Our sincere thanks to all the incredible, supportive staff at Penhall.
Mary’s commitment to the Community included her years teaching Photography and
Art at Castlemaine Technical College,
involvement with the Local Art and Craft movement, her work with Buda Historic Home and Garden,
her research book about the Castlemaine Gaol, Continuing Education and U3A.
Mary’s family invite our Community and her Friends to share their thoughts/memories of Mary.
Please leave your messages here, on Mary's tribute page.
You may also wish to forward a photo for Mary's family, by sending to info@mafunerals.com.au
A private family ceremony will be held.
Mary’s capable, creative, compassionate personality as well as her Open Garden and her
Photographic work will be remembered by many.
Mary will be deeply missed.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Australian Alzheimers Research Foundation.
Mary Moo,
A lady always looking out for others.
I’ll miss our chats, our singing duets while getting ready for the day & hearing you whistle around Penhall.
What a privilege it was to know you & your beautiful family.
– Lucy Lane X
While she died last week, Mum was lost to Alzheimers some years ago.
It must have been hell for her – her sharp, adventurous and feisty way progressively becoming more tangled and confused. I imagine there is some relief in passing and while that is horribly sad, it’s now time to remember Mum’s unshrinking life.
With great talent she did terrific, communicative work – inspiring more than a few of us, by example, to understand that striving to create things, especially things of beauty, while often difficult, is important.
She stuck with her political principles, she advanced causes in which she believed, and shunned those to which she took exception.
She pushed to achieve what she could for professional gender equality, and found joy in challenging all manner of conservative norms and conventions.
The country gave her the Centenary Medal for her service to the community.
I take off my hat and offer my thanks – a great life by any measure.
– Nathan
Mary was the ‘Coolest’ craft and photography teacher.
And when I became good mates with Morgan I saw a very cool patient mother.
If Morgan wasn’t at my place we were at his.
I have so many great memories of those days with Mary, Morgan and Louise.
My deepest sympathy goes to the family.
I loved Mary like a second mother.
– Les Hough
I first met Mary and the family in the mid-70’s.
Our mothers were the same age, shared a progressive political nature and were both teachers and great communicators.
But Mary was more ‘groovy’ than my mum.
She was just so leftie-arty-free-range-boho whilst my mum was so Italian-strict in comparison.
The first time I visited her lovely stone house in Chewton with Nathan, Mary showed me her latest photos whilst chatting away busily about all manner of interesting things and it made me feel like such a grown-up.
The second time I visited her magical cottage I was actually a grown-up and so were Nathan (and Louise and Morgan who were also there that day). Mary took photos of us all and I remember the house smelt of an open fire and fresh bread. She was welcoming and easy-going and interested in everyone.
Mary was impressive. Her three kids are also impressive. As are her grandchildren. And that she had the self-awareness, acceptance and good grace to make the decision herself to go into care when she did, impressed me a great deal.
Mary was a smart, ‘groovy’ artist and teacher, and a woman with a strong and consistent commitment to her community.
How strange that I have ended up living just down the road from where Mary last lived in Penhall, Castlemaine.
My love and thoughts are with Nathan, Louise and Morgan. And, to Louise, a special acknowledgment to you for your loving and close care of Mary these last 7 years.
Elly x
Mary was so special to Castlemaine.
Her work as a volunteer with Continuing Education and with Buda Historic Home and Garden are certainly benefiting from the energies she gave.
A wonderful person to work alongside.
Every year as I pick my boysenberries I thank Mary.
Her eye for detail with her photography is to be treasured.
Thinking of you all, especially Louise.
My love and thoughts
– Pat
Great memories of Mary… teaching art/photography at the Castlemaine Tech.
Sad to see her passing, but her legacy of a kind and gentle soul will live on forever.
– Neil
Meeting Mary at her cottage in Chewton was an introduction to an elder.
At once welcomed, warmly scrutinised, then given careful approval on terms of her own making, I recognised that Mary was a person who had your measure pretty quickly, and did not give ground on issues that were important to her or dear to her heart. Through my friendship with Louise, Morgan & Nathan, I came to enjoy her incisive questioning, her robust conversations, joyous sense of humour and hospitality. Her creative talent was evident all around her home, her photography work impressive, and she has left a lasting legacy of all these qualities, and more, in her kids.
Good job, Mary.
My sympathy to Louise, Nathan and Morgan on the loss of Your Mother.
– Phillipa
Mary always showed kindness, love and care towards others and myself.
She had her happy days and sad days with us.
However, she always knew how to be a good friend when others need her.
It was such a pleasure knowing such a huge personality.
She loved her gardening and visiting her friends in other rooms.
I will always miss you Mary and your whistling.
I hope and pray you are in a beautiful garden and driving around in your Cream Morgan.
I first met Mary when she came to visit Mum (Philippa Fitzpatrick) in Woodend in 1972.
They had spinning and black fleeces/sheep amongst other things in common and became friends.
In 1973 when we had moved to Castlemaine, Mary was my then art teacher at Castlemaine Tech.
I remember that we made a pair of ugg boots in one of the first classes, as a teacher she was one out of the box, always interested and interesting and you never knew what you would be doing next, but whatever it was it was going to be exciting.
Memories of her driving her vintage black Rover with suicide doors and being very impatient when you didn’t open the gate fast enough to her place in White Horse Gully Road.
Many many memories of a unique and bold woman of the times.
My sincerest condolences to her family.
Great memories of Mary teaching photography and art at Castlemaine Tech.
Truly a great and beautiful person.
Sad to hear of her passing memories are mine to keep.
– Jen
Vale Mary
When I moved to Chewton in the seventies I met met you and Jim Rowe in the Post Office on day one.
Back to your place for a coffee on day one.
We started a book club- Danny Furlong, George Butcher, Jim Rowe, etc.
You kept us organized.
We went went to the first Castlemaine Arts Festival- every venue – every concert-party afterwards!
Your home was always open and welcoming.
So many interesting people. Great conversations.
Thank you,
Mary Johnston
Only known for a short while but what a delight you were to care for.
May you be in peace in the garden above.
Sincere condolences to your beautiful family xx
– Michelle McNicol
A Tribute To My Mum…
An Extra Ordinary Mum, a Mum that most would wish for.
Mum was not only a mum to her own 3 children, she was a mum to many more.
Her over whelming warmness to people in need was never a bother to Mum, and she always found the good in people who needed nurturing, just as she saw the need to nurture the earth and what it had to offer.
Mum had such a creative mind and vision to hold true to what she believed, her involvement in the local community in many areas, along with her Love for others with similar views such as Green Peace, Friends Of The Earth and many more.
Mum was blessed with incredible creativity in the field of Arts and Photography sharing her vision with her children and many others.
Mum was never afraid of Adventure, she was the first woman accepted into the Morgan Sports Car Club (hence my name) also poling tuna on a commercial fishing boat out off Port Welshpool, working as a cook on many Sheep Stations, and joining her kids to work aboard a Square Rigged Ship as a crew member in the Whitsunday Islands this is just to name a few.
She was always on the lookout for new adventures, like turning white sheep into black sheep then turning the black sheep into jumpers, to In-still in her children the importance of self sufficiency.
Mum you have been so Wonderful, you have embedded the same Wonderful Traits in your 3 Children.
Thank You for being our Extra Ordinary Mum.
I hope we meet up again in Fiddlers Green.. Love You Mum.
Mary, was one of the original supporters of Buda Historic Home and Garden.
She was there to bring her back in 2001.
She maintained a great tenacity to ensure that Buda has the best tour guides and information that is possible. She is accredited as having photographed the development of Buda’s modern history as well as maintaining and ensuring the viability of the historical photos.
The community that is Buda will always be grateful for the energy and love that Mary gave.
Our sincerest condolences to the family.
– The Committee of Management and Community of Buda
I loved working with Mary on the two exhibitions of the Verey photographs and on getting open access to the collection for everybody.
She was smart, funny and kind. We would often meet in her lovely house on the hill looking over to Mount Franklin.
Her study of the old Castlemaine Gaol remains the best history of that important Castlemaine institution.
I will remember Mary and I wish her family well at this sad time.
My husband John McEwen knew Mary due to them both being art teachers in their early lives.
They reconnected when we moved to Chewton in 1984.
Mary was our photographer at our wedding in our garden in October that year and took some beautiful memorable photos.
Sadly John too had Alzheimer’s when he died at Christmas.
Mary was a beautiful person who will be sadly missed.
My love and sympathy to her family.
– Helen McEwen
I was privileged to train as a Buda guide under Mary. Her knowledge, enthusiasm as well as generous handouts were much appreciated by us all and inspired us to give of our best. She made the Leviny family and their talents come to life, which we could then share with our visitors.
Mary also taught me much about Castlemaine, from the anticlinal fold on Lyttleton St., to the historic old gaol, to an appreciation for preserving the local physical environment. The views from her home to Mt Franklin, especially at sunset, were captured by her distinctive photography and featured in some of her exhibitions.
Most significantly, Mary was a friend and role model to many of us, helping we late arrivals to feel we belonged to Castlemaine from the beginning.
Thank you, Mary… we shall remember you in your wonderful prime of life.
Mary contributed many wonderful photos to the book ‘The pleasures of dry climate gardening: one woman’s project’ which was self published in 2018 after many years of writing and organising. She most devotedly photographed the garden at 62 Kennedy Street Castlemaine over a period of over 12 months during 2009 – 2010. Authors Denise Jepson and Barbara Maund are very grateful for her cheerful skill.
Mary’s life didn’t end when she moved to Penhall. Penhall’s large gardens had been largely neglected by the time she arrived – Mary soon got them into shape and continued to garden there until recently. Feisty, intelligent with a well developed aesthetic, she still shared her knowledge, opinions and humour, with her whistling to be heard wherever she went. I’ll always be grateful to her too for the richness of relationship she offered my mum there – sometimes they sparred (usually over the garden) but they shared a sense of humour and camaraderie. Dear Louise, Coco and Hetty – thinking of you and holding you in my heart – Danni
To all of Mary’s dear family my heart goes out to you all. My deepest sympathy. I met your mum in the early eighties on a quest for my family history. Discovered that the old home sh loved at Chewton was originally built and owned by my Great Great Parents. What a delightful women Mary was. May she be resting peacefully. Xoxo 💐💐
Condolences to Mary’s family. A bright and creative person. A star faded. Regards Ronder Clayton (taxi driver)
Dear dear Mary, what a lady, so community-minded, gave so much of herself serving on many committees, RIP dear Mary from our Chewton folk. Mary served on the Chewton Development Committee and Chewton Town Hall Committee which then became the Chewton Domain Society, which Mary was very instrumental in, one of which was our people and places collection housed in our Chewton Town Hall. I knew where to get photos for our collection after using many photos in the making of my History of Chewton videos. I had the photos copied so many at a time which were 600 and then would take them to Mary’s house where Mary titled each photo with care. This took both of us many many untold hours, for we both did this out of love for our Chewton community. Condolences to Nathan, Louise, Morgan and their families. From Elaine Appleton.
I loved Mary.
We could not have been more welcomed arriving in Castlemaine in the 1970’s. Mary was delightful, inspirational, sharing of her home, her talents, her gardening knowledge, she taught me black and white photography, we had a strong political affiliation sharing our experiences with the opposition demonstrations to Australia’s involvement with the Vietnam war, spinning wool, growing sheep … an amazing beautiful warm hearted woman.
Condolences and grace to Mary’s family.
Dear dear Mary
What a lady, so community-minded, gave so much of herself to many committees.
R.i.P. Mary from our Chewton folk.
I am writing this on behalf of our Chewton Development Committee, Chewton Town Hall Committee which has now become the Chewton Domain Society which Mary was very instrumental in, one of which was our people and places collection housed in our Chewton Town Hall. After I had made four films pertaining to our history which 30 presenters narrated and researched 40 subjects a well as my own research. The Post Office Town Hall and Ellery Park were going to be bulldozed down. The Chewton folk were not happy and protested about the Post Office Town Hall and Ellery park should be left as was. So we had to come up with what we could use the town hall for and I suggested a photo historical display and knowing where to get photos after making the films I went back and the first 600 photos which I had photocopied I would take so many at a time to Mary’s house where Mary titled each one. This took Mary and myself many many untold hours, we did this out of love for our community. The Post Office Town Hall and Ellery Park were sold to the people of Chewton for a peppercorn sum of $200. Mary also took many many photos of Chewton events which are in our people and places collection Posting a few of Mary’s photos.
Dear dear Mary
What a lady, so community-minded, gave so much of herself to many committees.
R.I.P. Mary from our Chewton folk.
I am writing this on behalf of our Chewton Development Committee, Chewton Town Hall Committee which has now become the Chewton Domain Society which Mary was very instrumental in, one of which was our people and places collection housed in our Chewton Town Hall. After I had made four films pertaining to our history which 30 presenters narrated and researched 40 subjects a well as my own research. The Post Office Town Hall and Ellery Park were going to be bulldozed down. The Chewton folk were not happy and protested about the Post Office Town Hall and Ellery park should be left as was. So we had to come up with what we could use the town hall for and I suggested a photo historical display and knowing where to get photos after making the films I went back and the first 600 photos which I had photocopied I would take so many at a time to Mary’s house where Mary titled each one. This took Mary and myself many many untold hours, we did this out of love for our community. The Post Office Town Hall and Ellery Park were sold to the people of Chewton for a peppercorn sum of $200. Mary also took many many photos of Chewton events which are in our people and places collection Posting a few of Mary’s photos.
I met our Mary 30+ years ago as a member of the Chewton Town Hall Comm., later evolving into the Chewton Domain Society. From those days regular working bees to organise photos & captions to insert in the BIG Green Books was achieved, mainly driven by MARY & ELAINE. The Chewton community is endebted to the two of you for the many hours of persistence to record the Chewton history in this unique manner. Later Mary was a prime mover in the formation of the FRIENDS of MOUNT ALEXANDER DIGGINGS group. Life became a roller coaster of events & walks, learning so much of local history as well as the bus trip to Burra she organised. We are priviliged to display some of her magical photographic talent of local scenes around Chewton. I recall visiting her one sunny day at her new “Pizza Hut” home in Farnsworth St., Mary said “look out the front window toward Mt. Franklin, the dry grass resembles sand and the blue sky resembles the sea”, I agreed, such was the creative mind of a wonderful person. Mary and myself shared the same birthdate so her energetic nature for life lives on in so many ways. To her family I offer my condolences and believe you have been blessed to have had such a talented Mother.
Farewell Mary, an inspirational neighbour of 20 years from Chewton. You ensured the heart of Chewton remained intact. Thanks to the gate in the stone wall, we remember many dinners with yourself, Louise, Morgan and Nathan, and remain grateful for your inclusiveness, support and love. They were happy times!
Mary will forever be in our hearts for more than one reason. As a staunch supporter of Buda Historic Home & Garden (she trained me 20 years ago as a volunteer guide) and for inspiring my love of photography. Apart from that she always had the brightest smile every time we met including when I popped into Penhall to say hello and she wasn’t sure who I was. She loved people and she loved life. Mary won’t be forgotten. xox
I met Mary when we started the Friends of Buda after Miss Hilda died and the Art Gallery bought Buda Historic Home and Garden. We were in the first committee at Buda and over the years had a wonderful friendship. Mary took photos at our wedding in 1987 and they were included in the 1988 Bi-Centennial Travelling Photo Exhibition. I remember meeting Mary in town when she told me she was going into dementia and was moving into Penhall. I am heartened to know how she enriched her later years in Penhall as she did all her remarkable life.
Rest In Peace dear Mary.
You were a wonderful person.
– Sincere condolences to Louisa and Morgan and their families.