Thelma passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday 17th September aged 88 years.
Dearly loved wife of Keith (dec).
Loving mother to Colleen Hewett (dec), Peggy Odgers, Robert, Wendy Morrow, David, Andrea Teasdale, Phillip, Emma
and their families.
We cannot stop the hands of time, nor live again the past,
but we shall love and think of you, as long as time shall last.
Family and friends are invited to attend Thelma's funeral service
to be held in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Houston Street, Flora Hill (Bendigo)
on Wednesday 24th September commencing at 2.00pm.
Following this service the cortege will leave for the Harcourt Cemetery.
If you wish to join us at the service via livestream,
please return to the home page of this website and click on the livestream button.
The service will be live approximately 5 - 10 minutes prior to commencing.
24th September 2025 at 2:00 PM
© 2022 Mount Alexander Funerals. All Rights Reserved | Web by Greengraphics.
Sorry to hear of your mum’s passing Peggy. My loving thoughts to you.
From Mary W
Hi Mum
I have so many thoughts and emotions running through mind and will find it hard to put them all into words.
I was blessed to been born into this family and to be lucky enough to have had such a caring and loving mother such as you.
I have so many fond memories as a child but one stands out where you would comfort me by singing when washing my hair,
this memory remains with me so clearly and how calm you would make me feel.
Singing Christmas carols together was also a fond memory with music quickly became something that you introduced me to and enabled me
to understand and recognise the comfort and promptings of the Holy Ghost.
Your constant example of caring for your family and friends and wanting to make sure all were ok was consistent all through your life.
You strived to live as the saviour would and never judged anyone – instead you showed love and concern for all.
May your reunion with Dad, Colleen, Nanny, Grandad and each of your sisters and many others be a joyous occasion – the conversations
with all of them would be incredible to listen to.
You have now completed your mortal journey here on earth and fulfilled your calling as a true daughter of your Father in Heaven.
Becoming a mother was your greatest joy and one I will be eternally grateful for.
There is so much more I want say but this will do for now as when the time is right we will meet again and I will fall into your arms with love
and talk about the many things we did together.
Thank you Mum for all you have done for me and my family.
I love you so much
Your son
Phillip
Hi Nan, I don’t really know where to start. You were the BEST grandmother a girl could ask for. I’ll always remember your inability to sit down. Always on the go doing something for someone. You’ve given me so many memories to cherish.
When we’d visit the farm as kids we’d arrive late at night most times and you’d always have a hot water bottle in a perfectly made bed for us kids, ready to snuggle into. It always made me feel warm and safe. I’ll never forget your ability to make me feel loved, safe, heard, seen, comforted and happy. Which carried on still to my own children will I’ll forever be grateful for. Always going out of your way to serve in some way. The many times you’d sit down to put my sisters hair in rags, the many meals you provided to make sure our little tummies were full, the times you’d sit down and do jigsaw puzzles with me (which is where my love for them started), the many books you’d read to us and encourage us to read. Your love for a sweet treat and handing one to us from your car on the sly so mum and dad wouldn’t see as you’d leave from visiting us. You were a person that never judged anyone! It always surprised me at how forgiving you were. I admired that growing up and will always try to follow in your footsteps. Your love for the Gospel and our Saviour Jesus Christ will be with me forever. It showed in everything you did. I’m forever grateful for your choice to be baptised. It enabled me to be born into such a loving and HUGE family but most of all to be able to find my own testimony of Jesus Christ. I love you Nan! Thank you for all the memories and constant love.
See you on the flip side!
Sarah xx
Hi Nanny
What a privilege it is being your grand daughter.
You are an inspiring example of work ethic, kindness, faith and love.
I remember feeling so loved by you in not just the words you would speak to us as children but in the small details of my life. Warm neatly made beds, perfect temperature hot honey drinks, gently braiding my hair, making the most boring book sound so exciting and offering us chocolate when we were meant to be in bed.
It’s these moments that I cherish the most with you. Especially the conversations centred around the gospel. Your testimony of Jesus Christ always inspired me. I remember sharing our patriarchal blessings late one night alongside Aunty Colleen. That was a very spirit filled and special moment for all of us and I will never forget the love I felt.
Thank you for your many books over the years. I have been able to pass on your love of the written word to my own children using the very same books you gifted me as a child. I have been imagining what your reunion with Grandpa and Aunty Colleen would have been like. It would have been the most tender of moments. I look forward to our same sweet reunion. Love you always and forever.
Lani
Oh Mum, my heart is broken. I don’t know how we are going to get by without you. You had such a beautiful voice and were always singing in our home as we were growing up. You loved playing the piano and were always singing practicing, bringing music into our lives every day. You loved everyone equally and showed it
in all that you did. All our children and grandchildren adored you and always will. Goodbye my beautiful Mum.
Love always, Peggy xx oo
Hi Nanny,
How we are all going to miss the beautiful person that you are. This world will not be the same without you in it but I know you made it a better place with you in it.
Your love and positivity was a light many people needed in their lives and I will miss you dearly.
I have so many fond memories with you. I loved it when you would sing while I played the piano, playing cards and when you would do my hair in braids or rags overnight to make it curly. You would let me sleep in your bedroom when we would come stay and I was always the first to ask if I could drive with you and Grandpa whenever we went anywhere. I will miss your beautiful face but I am happy you are with Grandpa and Aunty Colleen now.
Love you and rest easy xx
Cara
Aunty Thelma
Your happiness, your wonderful smile, always caring about others. Growing up I always remember you coming around to visit us in Somerville. Your happiness was contagious and you lit up the room with laughter. We were always excited to see you. As Jennifer and Trevor (mum and dad) got more frail, you were on the phone to them. Dad enjoyed long conversations with you and you were always a part of our lives in a special way.
You will always be in our heart.
Love and prayers to the family.
Mike and Pippa
Our dear nanny,
You will be so deeply missed by all who loved you. We were so lucky as kids to have you live close or on the same property.
Warm milk and honey drinks before bed, listening to you play the piano and sing along, gardening and helping you pick veggies, getting braids and rags, blowing the biggest bubbles for us in the bath and even being fortunate enough to milk the cows and feed the calves with you. Just a few of the memories of you that I will treasure for ever.
Your patience and gentle spirit was something to be admired. You made everyone feel special.
Love you always
Romy
Our Dearest Nanny/Great Nanny/Fun Nanny
Your warm and welcoming nature, patience and unwavering love was some of the things I’ve always adored, always making everyone feel so loved and special.
I’ll never forget our morning sing alongs when you would visit, our garden walks, and the giggles when we would blow our lights out at night. The books we’ve read and the songs we’ve sung I now read and sing with my children. I’ll cherish these memories forever, and think of you whenever I see the spring blossoms, or the roses bloom, or hear the song of a bird.
Love you Nanny
Shannon
Oh Nanny. What an amazing daughter of God you were. You were a special role model in my life and taught me to be more filled with kindness and love. I was so lucky to have seen you one more time before you go. It was such a blessing to have been a grandson of yours and could not have asked for a better Nan. I will always remember and aspire to be more Christlike because of you.
Love Joseph
Dear Auntie Thelma,
How lucky I was, and all your nieces and nephews were to have you as an Auntie.
Growing up with you in our family I remember the quiet chats we had when I was a girl, to young woman, to as a mother and then as a grandmother you were always such a good listener, you spoke your truth with compassion and always love. Even though we lived so far away most of the time, it was the moments when we connected I always felt I was in a safe place.
You will be remembered as the beautiful person you were and be missed. When I find a lovely doll to give to my latest grandchild I will think of you.
Love Trudie
Dear Great Nanny,
I miss you all the time over here in America. I loved our facetime calls and catch ups when it was super late here. I was always eager and excited to hear your stories about your childhood and growing up, your life, and talking about anything and everything. Getting ready for church together in the bitter cold when I’d visit is such a warm memory. I still try to make porridge the way you made it for me but I don’t think I’ll quite get it right. Can’t wait to have more with you in heaven one day. I love you Great Nan.
Love
Ruby
Dear Aunty Thelma,
You have and always will be a very loved part of my life and all who knew you.
You were always a very special Aunty and I looked forward to our visits .
I’ve called you through tough times during my life and you always knew exactly what to say, which always made me feel so much better.
I will truly miss our cherished times together.
Sending so much love to you through your next journey . You will be in my heart forever.
With so much love your niece Leanne & Steve xx
I did not know Auntie Thelma as much as the rest of you,
But my memory is of a lovely lady who lived life with a smile soft voice and love in her heart.
Auntie Thelma was a beautiful person who impacted so many lives, you may not have not seen Auntie Thelma for decades, but in the back of your mind you knew she was there, and the memories of knowing such a lovely person was around even at a great distance still gave you that calm feeling of remembering her voice, her smile, her laugh, Auntie Thelma was such a caring person who we should all strive to be like.
Auntie Thelma you will be missed, but your memory will continue in all our minds and stories of such a lovely person.
Nanny and Grandad did such a great job bringing five lovely girls up, and you continued with your own family, and when we think of Nanny and Grandad with such love, your family and beyond will remember you with the same love.
I am sad we have lost from this world someone who had such an impact, but your impact will forever be with us and those who come after us.
I can see you, your smile and laugh now as I write.
Love Mitch
A beautiful lady who was a shining light in my life. Through good and bad Thelma was a constant source of love and support to me (and to all she knew).
Fortunately these same qualities will survive through an amazing extended family. So lovely to see the caring and love reciprocated by family and friends.
“A beautiful soul is never forgotten, just remembered with great love”
My love and best wishes to you all.
Wayne Hewetson
To My Beautiful Nanny
It’s hard to put into words how much I will miss you Nanny. You were one of those rare souls who lit up every room with warmth, happiness, and unconditional love.
A beautiful lady in every way full of laughter, kindness, and joy.
I will be sure to cherish every memory we made together like the special sleepovers when you would come stay with us and we would sneak into yours and Grandpa’s bed early in the mornings. We’d cuddle close, singing songs and reading books, wrapped in the safety of your arms and the comfort of your voice, I always asked for my favourite song which was of course “Popcorn Popping on the Apricot Tree” — a tune that has never left my heart.
I now sing it to my own children and it brings you straight back to me everytime.
We both had so much love for dolls/babies and shared many hours together dressing dolls, braiding their hair or just cuddling them and chatting over our love for these dolls, which then continue on when I got older but we were then doing it with my real babies and I loved watching you sit there and snuggle them for hours! You weren’t just the best nanny you were an amazing great nanny!
This is not goodbye but I’ll see you again! I will love you forever. I will kiss you in my dreams. And I will carry you with me — in my heart, in the songs I sing, in the laughter of my children, and in all the quiet moments we once shared.
Rest peacefully, my beautiful Nanny. You will always be with me!
Erin
My dear Nanny,
I feel so blessed to have had a grandmother like you. You truly are a special person. You were my rock, a second mother to me after my mum passed away. Thank you for loving me and my family. I adored you, my kids adored you and we loved visiting you. They have memories of watching The Chase with you, doing puzzles, snacking on chocolate and lollies and eating the best porridge in the world. I will be forever grateful and thankful that you are my nanny. You may have passed on, but your memories will always live on within us. I love you so much and you will be missed.
Love Shoni
What do you say about one of the best people to ever walk this earth? There are not enough words.
Thankyou for always living us and treating us like we were part of your family.
Thank you for loving my children who called you Nanny and for making me feel so loved and so safe.
You were always so genuinely delighted to see me, you can’t know how much that meant to me. You were always nurturing and kind.
I have known you my entire life and feel so honoured to have called you Aunty Thelma, Nanny, Thelma, my dear friend.
I will miss you so much but I know you are with your beloved Keith, Colleen and other family members and with My Mum xx
Dianne Bowley
Mum there are no words to express our sadness at your passing.
If we didn’t love you so much it wouldn’t hurt so bad.
We know you are now with the love of your life and that all your pain is behind you.
You will always be in our hearts, to inspire us and comfort us
Love ❤️ Always Robert and Mandy xx
Dearest Nan
I’m so glad you’re my family! You hold a unique place in my heart and I’m grateful to have been able to spend time with you.
You’ve left an amazing legacy and example. One that I hope to emulate. The love and bonds you developed within your family are felt every day by us.
The lessons you taught were profound and will last our whole lives. We try to follow your example and continue the bonds of family that you have shown us.
We miss you.
Daniel
To Great Nanny, you were always the sweetest person we will miss you. Love you forever.
Harlon and Brannen.
Aunty Thelma,
We will miss your kind heart and gentle nature. Please rest peacefully with Uncle Kev.
Sending our love to all the extended Knight family.
Peter Shepherd along with Emily, Audrey, Henry and Isla.
One of the hardest moments in our lives was to say goodbye to you. Your gentle nature, your pure and kind heart, your smile and your warm hugs we will miss the most.
We are so grateful for the love you showered upon our family and the values we all strive to live by. We are so blessed to have had you in our lives and we will always be reminded of you through our own children and grandchildren. The legacy you have created makes us so proud to be apart of and we thank you for that.
We will always love you.
Love David and Leanne
Mum, how I miss you. It is so hard not being able to pick up the phone to call for a chat. You were always there for me and I am so grateful to have had you as my mother. Thank you for your love you always showed me, your support over the years made everything easier to cope with. I miss your smile, your hugs and our chats. You have been such a wonderful example to me on how to be a mother, a woman and friend. I will strive to be more like you. It is so comforting to know that you are with Dad and Colleen and all your loved ones now. Love you so much.
Andrea
Dear Nan, I can’t put into words the impact you had on my life, especially the last four years without mum. You were my shoulder to lean on and always made me feel better and put a smile on my face no matter the sitution. So many happy childhood memories that I will cherish forever. I will miss you so much. Say hi to Gramps and mum and give them a big hug for me and tell them I love them. Till we meet again. Love you Nan.
David
To an amazing woman, you have been an incredible example of unconditional love, loyalty and kindness to everyone right from the day I meet you.
It’s hard to believe that you’re not there anymore. Your Christ like love and enduring faith I will never forget.
Love you always
Joanne
Dear Auntie Thelma,
You mean so much to me and our family, you introduced mum and dad to the Church of Jesus Christ, and you introduced me to Dianne who I would marry just a few years after. You were always so kind to others, always looking for the best in others. Everything was so “special” to you. You had a talent for music and singing. However your greatest talent was making people feel great about themselves and the world around them. Rest in peace, you were an angel on earth, and now you are an angel in heaven.
Brent Denny