|
Kath was the 3rd child of Cornelius and Linda O'Loughlin of Parilla Well - 11 kilometres north-west of Pinnaroo. She was born at 3.15pm on Saturday 5th June 1926 and baptised by Pastor Proeve on 11th July some weeks later. Her life spanned to just over 85 Years. During her life Kath was a faithful Christian and was a member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church Murrayville and Bethlehem Lutheran Church Pinnaroo. Her Confirmation was at Bethlehem Lutheran Church on Palm Sunday 29th March 1942. She attended Parilla Well School having been enrolled there on the 26th of January 1932. After her schooling, Kath worked on her parents' property helping with the housework, sheep, cattle and horses in times without modern conveniences or luxury. Kath married Victor Norman Sieber on 31st March 1948. They resided on the Sieber family home and farm with Vic's parents near Mulcra - about 13 kilometres north of Murrayville. Kath and Vic had two children; Margaret born in 1949 and Julie born in 1957. Kath was a loving and caring mother, fond mother-in-law and she doted on her grand-children and great-grand-children - always ready to encourage and ever interested in their progress and achievements in life. In 1959 Kath and Vic took Kath's youngest brother Stan
(me) into their care for that year. I particularly remember the warm and loving care Kath showed towards me with her kindness and friendliness - her sisterly friendliness. As a growing boy at the time I also can attest to the finest and plentiful meals made by her. Always she was known for her great skills in the kitchen - especially with salads, cakes, biscuits and slices. Farm life at Mulcra for her was more than domestic. She would help round up sheep, milk cows, cut lucerne for the chooks, feed them, gather eggs and she kept a very ornamental garden. Kath cared for her father-in-law Johannes for 4 years following the death of his wife Martha –affectionately known as "Granny Sieber". Kath and Vic retired from the farm in February 1974 and moved to 11 Devon Terrace in Pinnaroo. Sadly Vic passed away only 4 years later on 8th Feb 1978 – with Kath being widowed for many years. In the town she loved her spacious garden and kept busy and fit, and as always, she enjoyed life and helping people. Many of us remember Kath busily running about in her garden to get things done. Kath was very hospitable to visitors and renowned for her kindness to all family members. Nieces and nephews found Aunty Kath's place to be a second home. She was a member and office bearer for the Lutheran Women's Guild. Also she was a member of the Pinnaroo Hospital Auxiliary and Country Women's Association. Kath supported numerous charitable organisations. On her kitchen shelf was a quote of William Penn "I shall pass this way but once. Therefore, any good that I can do, or any kindness that I can show, let me do it now, for I shall not pass this way again". Kath was indeed a person of kindness.
She enjoyed handicrafts including crocheting, sewing and knitting. Gardening was her favourite activity. Over a period of years Kath suffered increasing memory loss and was for a long while supported in her home by the care of hospital staff and Meals on Wheels. She moved into the nursing home section of the Pinnaroo Soldiers Memorial Hospital on 10th September 2008. The care given there by staff in that wonderful establishment has been outstanding and second to none. A special thankyou to all those involved and thankyou also to those relatives and friends who gave Kath love and support. After enduring those many years of infirmity, Kath's physical health deteriorated in recent times; finally being called home with her passing away last Wednesday. Now we commit her to the Dear Lord, and give thanks for her having lived a life that made such a positive difference to us, and with our great gift of memory we will always remember our dearly loved Kath.
|
