The women who shaped my life
Not everyone is lucky enough to grow up with a loving mum to guide them through the hard times in life, but most people will agree there’s one (or more) special lady in their lives who’s shaped the person they are today. With Mother’s Day just around the corner, let’s take the opportunity to celebrate these inspirational women.
1. Miss Sherwell
“Miss Sherwell, the last lady who looked after me in care. She saw something in me that no one else did. She taught me scrabble, allowed me to stay up and listen to plays on the BBC and the odd TV show, encouraged me all the time, when I got picked to go on a TV quiz she was so proud of me. I was the first girl to go to ballet lessons because she asked the matron who gave in to her nagging, I wrote to this lady for 40 years and when she passed over, her friend sent me her trinkets and a year later some money arrived. I will never forget her. It wasn’t always easy as being in care, but she never gave up on me. I loved her.” – Rose Marie Quinn
2. Myself
“Me. I have inspired myself to never give up, to push through whatever has come my way, to believe and achieve in oneself, go for what you want and never listen to doubters – something my parents never gave to me.” – Pat Wilson
3. My aunt
“Most people would nominate their mother or even a teacher, but my mentor was my mother's sister, my aunt. From age eight, my parents were in conflict but remained together ‘for the sake of the children’ (me and two younger brothers). I had no one to confide in, living as we did in an isolated country town in NSW, so I struck up a correspondence with my aunt who lived far away in Queensland. She was never critical, but taught me great values and to think for myself. She saw me through my education, my marriage, becoming a mother, my mother's death and every milestone in my life. She died just a few years ago, aged in her 90s and I miss her terribly.” – Bev Maybury
4. My grandmother
“My grandmother on my father’s side. Old fashioned, down to earth, with good morals. Taught me how to bake, cook, sew and do domestic chores. She made me admit my mistakes in life and apologise to whom I did wrong. A kind, loving lady.” – Marcella Louise Curtis
5. My great-grandmother
“I never met her, but my great-grandmother inspired my mum and me in turn. She took on the task of raising 5 of her 6 grandchildren (only a few of many) when my grandfather was killed in WWII (my grandmother had already died of a heart condition when mum was 12 or 13 years of age). She was a feisty lady, kept those kids in check, made sure they were educated properly, taught them right from wrong and was always there for them. If I could meet anyone to have conversations with she would be the one I would choose.” – Shirley Lynch