Irene Mary McAuliffe
Obituary
IRENE MARY McAULIFFE (nee Rodwell)
Rene and her faithful companion in her home at the Aberdean Village.
Irene Mary Rodwell, more commonly known as Rene, was born at Collie, Western Australia, on the 18th February 1930. She and her family moved to Katanning around 1935, first to live in Broome Street, then to 25 Daping Street, where she grew up.
Irene’s children were her world. She worshipped her three children and her husband Kevin. They worshipped her in return – loving and respecting their Mum. Her family grew with the arrival of her grandchildren. Her son Gary has two children, Trigg and Pippa. Daughter Sheryl has four children, Brad, Louise, Kristy and Karen. Her youngest sonTerry and his wife Julie have two children, Sophie and Georgie.
Irene’s surviving siblings are brother George and sister Margaret. Her parents Gladys and George Rodwell, brothers Alf and Neville, and sisters Lavina and Gwen, all predeceased her.
Irene was a selfless person, who feared being a burden to anyone, making her strongly independent. She was of the old school where honesty, manners and others were of the utmost importance. It was always her family first – before herself.
Nanna Mac, as her grandchildren know her, was a happy, musical lady that they will forever remember singing and whistling with a favourite being “Somewhere Over The Rainbow.”
The Ontario Motor Lodge in Scarborough was a favourite place for her as a luxury break. Kevin made sure she had these breaks where she indulged her love of seafood baskets and cappuccino. Then back home to tend to the ducks.
Irene and Kevin in their later years.
Irene will always be remembered for her cooking. Her tomato relish was a popular and locally famous treat. The family had individual favourites that she would prepare lovingly for them. Georgie and Sophie loved her rissoles, Terry the potato fritters, and Julie, Irene’s fruit cake.
She loved the Eagles AFL team, Daniel Craig as 007, and singer Michael Buble.
Irene valued her friendship with her besties – George and Margaret. Growing up, Rene’s best friend was Gwenda Lewis and they were always together.
Rene was schooled at the Katanning State School, which was just across the road, so there was never any excuse for being late. Miss Roberts was her first teacher in infants, and Miss Sally Obourne was the very strict head mistress that nobody dared cross.. Miss Obourne’s speciality was teaching Shakespeare and arithmetic (maths), which Rene could never get her head around, much to Miss Obourne’s displeasure. Rene loved domestic science and cooking classes. Rene was a very good cook and still was in later years.
Sport at school was hockey in winter and swimming in summer were Rene gained her life saving certificates. Tennis was tried for a while but not continued. After her school years she played hockey with the Bluebirds Hockey Team along with Gwenda. During this time Rene was picked for country week hockey. Rene also tried piano lessons at St Rita’s convent school, but with no piano at home it was hard to practice so the lessons ended. Also any spare time was spent at the swimming pool.
The war was raging at that time so these were the main entertainments, along with the pictures at the Katanning Town Hall on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights. Rene and Gwenda were both Usherettes at the pictures (movies as they are called now).
Her working life was at Morrison’s Tailoring Shop, later named Well’s Tailoring after Harold Wells took over. Rene was very skilled as a “coat hand,” although she could do trousers and waist coats as as well. Rene also worked at the Federal Hotel as a kitchen hand and waitress.
Rene loved clothes, fashion and having her hair done, and would have loved to have gone to Perth to learn hairdressing and modelling, but it didn’t happen.
Getting from A to B was by push bike. Rene’s Dad was for ever saying clean and oil your bike, which always seemed to be to a deaf ear, as out and about with Gwenda and down to the pool was much more pleasurable.
Rene on her wedding day
Rene married Kevin McAuliffe on the 15th April 1950, at the Catholic Church in Katanning, and was a very beautiful bride. Her good friend Gwenda and sister Margaret were bridesmaids. A reception followed at the Katanning Hotel. Rene and Kevin settled into married life 56 Andover Street. Kevin worked at Richardson’s store in Austral Terrace and managed the shoe department. Kevin had many and varied interests with a small wood and poultry yards (chickens, ducks, pigeons and quails) and a large vegie garden. He sold most of what he produced.
Kevin and Rene on their wedding day
Rene worked very hard alongside him, helping him saw wood and loading it for deliveries as well as plucking and dressing the poultry. Plucking the poultry, Rene seemed to just run her hands down the chickens and she would have the feathers off in seconds. The ducks were the bane of her life as Kevin would let them roam where the clothes line was. The ducks, with their dirty beaks, would aim at the bottom of the sheets and the cuffs of Kevin’s shirts and, therefore, the washing would need to be done again. Rene would have quite happily chopped off all their heads.
Rene’s first washing machine was a little single tub “Hoover,” which had a little hand wringer on it, purchased from Herb Wanke’s shop in Clive Street. This was a blessing after the scrubbing board and copper.
Rene, Cheryle, Kevin and Gary, with Terrance on Kevin’s lap.
Their first born was Gary. Sheryl was next, followed by Terrance, and they all grew up and did their schooling in Katanning.
Irene and Kevin’s children.
Gary, Cheryle and Terrance.
Rene was thrilled to learn to drive and was often out and about when she got her first car. No more peddling on her bike. One incident she had, and was mighty indignant about, was when she got pulled over by the police and asked if her car was licensed and up to date. Her answer was of course it is. When asked where the new sticker was for the windscreen she answered home in the drawer. She was told smartly to put it on.
After the family grew up Gary moved to the city; Sheryl, a hairdresser married and moved east; and Terrance moved to the city. Rene and Kevin stayed at Andover Street. When Kevin passed away, Rene stayed there for a few more years before selling the property and shifting to the Lions Retirement Village. Rene was quite happy there with her brother George calling in for a coffee and the paper most days.
Irene Mary McAuliffe. Irene Mary McAuliffe.