Good morning my name is Bernadette Carson and I have the honour and the privilege to lead you today in this celebration of Vera May Taylor’s life.
Lighting of the Remembrance Candle
Celebrant: Vera’s granddaughter Jade shall now light her Remembrance Candle on behalf of the family. Light has always been a symbol of remembrance, it is symbolic of your love for Vera, in memory of a life well lived and of the warmth she bought to your lives.
Introduction
On behalf of Vera’s children, Barry, Bob, John and their families, the grand children Shane, Craig, Gail, Jade, Deakin, Prue, Melissa, Janine and Nicole and great grandson Blake, thank you all for your love, compassion and gestures of support, evident by your presence. Today we will take time to express the love that you felt for Vera; she touched many people’s lives so you all will have many stories to tell about shared experiences.
It’s hard to think of Vera’s passing without resolving to live a fuller, more meaningful life of our own.
Just as Vera influenced all those around her we too inadvertently influence those whose lives we touch. A deep loss shows us what is precious, enjoying life to its fullest, embracing those we love, giving and sharing of one’s self just as Vera did, are the important things to strive for in life.
The memory of a person no longer with us can be a very powerful aid in coping with our grief. We never lose the people we love, as they are a part of our every action, thought and decision, as love leaves a permanent handprint on our heart. Vera has left a wealth of wonderful amazing memories for us to cherish, so today is about sharing, remembering and paying tribute to an extraordinary woman described by her children as “a traditional genuine good person, the solid foundation that kept the family together”.
Today we give thanks for having had the privilege of knowing Vera Taylor.
Eulogy
I shall now share with you a brief outline of this wonderful woman’s life then allow her family members to elaborate on their fond memories and experiences.
Vera was born 27 May 1928 to Francis Winifred and John Osbourne, at Faversham in Kent, a sister to David, Jean, Malcom and Michael. Raised in Canterbury and the daughter of the local milkman all the children had their chores to carry out on the property and one of Vera’s was making the butter. On each occasion she was issued with a stern warning not to turn the butter into cheese, a big responsibility for one so young. Vera’s early life on the dairy held many fond memories even though it was during the depression and the lead up to World War 2.
Vera loved to share her childhood stories with her children and one such account involved the shooting down of a German plane near their property. As a curious 12 year old she and her friends, on seeing the pilot’s parachute, of course wanted to investigate, this was all so exciting. The Home Guard soon put a stop to their curiosity when they were told to hide in a nearby hedge and take cover.
All were aware that when the planes came over it would result in London being bombed so it was common place for many of the city children to be billeted to families in the country to keep them safe, a distressing time but a time when everyone pulled together.
In 1946 at the age of 18 Vera joined the WACS. Never having left the security of her home town she was a shy naive young woman who had to grow up quickly. She loved the camaraderie the WACS offered and soon made friends enjoying nights out at the movies and for dinner.
On one occasion a blind date was arranged but she stood the poor chap up, she later ran into him and eventually accepted a date which resulted in her marrying Lawrie in 1950. This relationship was blessed with three sons Barry born in 1954, Bob in 1955 and John in 1958.
In 1963 the young family immigrated to Australia “ten pound pommies” they were referred to as Australia was desperate for a work force to populate the country a cheap fair was offered to encourage immigrants. For the children the first glimpse of Australia was a very exciting experience but not so for Vera. After a long 5 week voyage and a severe case of sea sickness Australia had lost a lot of its charm for Vera.
Vera worked full time at Reckitt and Colemans while caring for the family and after Lawrie’s death in 1970 she was the main bread winner and leading force behind the family. The children can never recall a time when mum wasn’t there for them, there was always food on the table, clean clothes and enough love to go around for all.
The family have shared with me many funny stories of life with their mum. They remember her as a level headed quiet person until they pushed her buttons by being naughty and cheeky. She would then retaliate with the feather duster as the boys further fuelled the situation with their peals of laughter.
She had some very funny sayings such as “if you sneezed once it’s a wish, twice it’s a kiss, three times it’s something better”. The sight of black cockatoos meant rain was on the way and dependant on how many cockatoo’s flew over determined how many days of rain would follow.
Vera had a big impact on her children’s lives, she made them feel important and valued. She was not only a wonderful role model to her children, but her genuine kindness, understanding, and non judgemental attitude encouraged many of her son’s friends to seek her out with their troubles. She never actually gave advice just listened, reflecting back on what they’d said, not giving any answers but offering food for thought. Her positive attitude meant that everyone who met Vera was a better person for having known her.
It was John’s involvement in the scouts that bought about Vera meeting a scout master called Ray Taylor known as “Cookie” and this relationship lead to their marriage in 1975. As a couple they remained very involved in the Scout movement and the BP guild, a social club that raised money for the scout movement.
A lover of nature, gardening and walking the family pets; Vera also held a great passion for her arts and crafts in all of its facets and when she retired early to care for her grand children she encouraged their self growth by introducing them to a variety of crafts. However, she did excel in cake making and decorating; she made all the families’ and friends birthday, engagement and wedding cakes with love and devotion. She formed many treasured friendships during her 84 years and enjoyed socialising at bingo twice a week in recent years.
A car accident when Vera was 71 unfortunately slowed her down so she was unable to socialise as she would have liked to later in life however, she did manage a trip back to England with her granddaughter Jade. This trip held very happy memories for Vera, an extremely special time in her life.
We often hear people described as the great achievers of the world, well Vera was the quiet achiever. She was a professional woman, homemaker, wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, dedicated to her family, loving them all unconditionally, thus making her family rich in love.
So today is not just a goodbye but more a thank you to Vera for touching so many lives with her generous heart and warm spirit. Rest assured you will always feel her presence because of the love you shared and the cherished memories you hold.

Speakers (John Barry and Glenise)
Celebrant: Family members shall now share their reflections of times spent with Vera.
(State your name and your relationship to Vera)

Reflection (Slide presentation, laying of tributes and music)
We shall now pause to silently share with Vera those private thoughts that you hold in your heart. Please take this time to enjoy and a slide presentation of the family’s memories and if the grand children and any others would like to come forward and lay their tributes.
Celebrant: Would you all please stand and join me saying The Lord’s Prayer.

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be your name,
Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
Forgive us our trespasses
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil,
For thyne is the kingdom, the power and the glory,
Now and forever. Amen.


The Committal and Words of Closure

Celebrant: Would you please remain standing for the final words of committal.

Vera, your life we honour, your departure we accept, your memory we cherish. In grief at your death, but in gratitude for your life and for the privilege of sharing it with you. Rest now at the end of your days, your part is played, rest in the hearts and the minds of those who love you.
To you, her family and friends, may you all find comfort in your memories, may you find support and strength in your love for one another and may you find peace in your hearts.
We have now come to the end of this service. As we leave this place, remember love is the carrier of life. We are born of love, sustained by love and given over to love in our releasing of life. Death does not sever love. It creates a new pathway for loves bonds to continue throughout the rest of our lives.
Vera will always be found in the love we carry for her in our hearts. Let us leave this place in quietness of spirit, conscious of the things that really matter in life, the gift of life and love.
On behalf of the family thank you all for coming. The family will now be adjourning to 24 Coronation Street Blackalls Park. You are all welcome to join them to share your memories of Vera.
Curtain to be closed.