Always in our hearts: a celebration of all mothers
“A mother’s hug lasts long after she lets go.”
Honouring and celebrating those we love is a very personal journey. While some of us are fortunate to have our nearest and dearest close to us on days of celebration and remembrance, when our loved ones are no longer with us, we use these times to reflect and remember.
We all approach remembrance in our own special way. Some of us like to visit places that conjure happy memories, while others have special rituals or customs they like to observe – a shared story, a cup of tea, a treasured saying. Many cultures across the world use the act of lighting a candle to pay tribute to a life that has passed on and to signify that the memory of a loved one lives on in our hearts.
“Life doesn't come with a manual; it comes with a mother.”
This year, we were honoured to host an online remembrance service in celebration of all mothers, both past and present. While we could not physically be together for a moment of remembrance with our community, our beautiful online event allowed us to come together in a shared embrace in honour of all mums.
As our CEO Jane Grover, Ellese Templeton of Templeton Family Funerals and celebrant Veronica Lees-Amato lit a candle together in remembrance, participating families also joined in this special moment by lighting a candle for their loved one.
Families shared their heartfelt thoughts and wishes through photos and messages of love, shared before the event and live through the event chat. We were honoured to be joined by more than 100 families who gathered to share their memories. You can view the shared photos and personal tributes in our video above.
Thank you to all those who also shared messages of love and remembrance during our service. We’ve collected these tributes here:
| Name | Message |
|---|---|
| Alex Chan | Shirley Chan A loving, caring, and devoted mother |
| Alison Aldridge | I am here to celebrate my mum Dorothy Aldridge who passed away during the COVID in August 2020 One of the hardest things that has ever been required of me was the day we had to let you go as the angels carried you to heaven. Love and miss you R.I.P The candle has been lit for all the mum here and around the world |
| Ans & Peter Wright | We are to celebrate and remember my Mum, Henny Mosterd for her wonderful 96 years of love and good times. Love you heaps Mum. Lots of Love Ans and Peter xxxx Dear Mum, our candle has been lit for you, for your memory. Happy Mother's Day Mum Miss you lots. Lots of Love Ans and Peter xxxoooo |
| Bert | I can no longer see you with my eyes or touch you with hands, but I will feel you in my heart forever. |
| Christine | My Mum Sylvia died 19 years ago and I talk to her nearly every day. Happy mothers day Mum |
| Debbie Feddersen | We are here to celebrate our Mother's, Lorrain Chant & Elizabeth Feddersen To my beautiful Mum, I have lit the candle for you in your memory. I miss you every day and wish I could have one more hug and hear one more I love you. You will remain in my heart now and forever. xx Happy Mother's Day Mum, I think of you and miss you. I love you, Ross xx |
| Deborah Mitten | Love you Mum and Joan, l miss you both so much, but l have lots of good memories of you both and the special precious time we had together, you will never be forgotten, Lorraine Hoppen and Joan Mitten, love you always |
| Elizabeth Toth | Leaving a message for Maria Kovacs mother of Elizabeth Toth, Missing you mum - Maria Kovacs |
| Ellese | Remembering my beautiful mum Yolanda Templeton xx |
| Emilia | Celebrating my grandmother Stella. |
| France Maning | Danielle Maning, Simply the best, the one in our hearts. Hivo, Rachelle Sladan Travis Preet and the Grandkidse |
| Francesca Suffield | Joining my sister, Genevieve to celebrate our mother, Arlette. Happy Mother's day, mum. You live on through your children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. xxx |
| Genevieve Marie | Celebrating Arlette my mother and adored grandmere. |
| Jean-Jacques Rouge | Mum I will always love you and I miss you so much. |
| Judy Withers | I miss my mother and grandmothers every day |
| Karen Brunetti | Ellen Gething was my mother, I enjoyed taking her out for lunch & us having lovely chats about anything & everything! I miss her beautiful smile. |
| Maria Scapin | Mum I miss you every day and am so thankful for all you taught me, the love you gave without condition. You will always be in my heart. Love you forever. |
| Michelle | I'm here to celebrate my Grandma Jean and nan Maudie. :) |
| Norina Gubiani and Clare Weight | In our hearts , thinking of you both always . Happy Mother's Day. |
| Peter Campbell | We all miss our mother Denise Campbell, Susan Kerri and Rebecca |
| PRECY | I'm here to celebrate my Mum Milagros Estrada |
| Rosemary Perri | Mum I will always love you and I miss so much. Antonietta Gallo age 87 Happy mothers day to my Grandmother MARIETTA MOLINARO |
| Thanh Trieu | I am here to celebrate my Grandma and Lang and Mum Chan I missed you Grandma Lang Trang and Mum Chan Tran I love you Grandma and Mum Wish i could have given you Grand & Mum more of my time to share with you Rest in Peace Grandma & Mum, i love you |
| Yvonne Ross | I miss you so much mum everyday. Mother's day even more. I think of you everyday. I so wish you were here now to help me through the hard days right now. You were my strength. Love you |
We welcome you to also share your cherished memories with us in the comments on our Facebook page.
Wherever you are this Mother’s Day, we extend a warm embrace from our family to yours.
We welcome our community to visit their loved ones and reflect in person over the Mother's Day weekend. Please note that this weekend may be busier than usual and to allow extra time.
If you need support during this time, we are here to help. We encourage you to visit smct.org.au/help for a list of bereavement counselling and support organisations or to take a look at the resources offered through our Centre for Care & Wellbeing.
