Melanie Harris Eulogies
“Our mum was the best mum. She had so many friends and she talked so much on the phone that I started copying her and I knew all the gossip.
She loved going to Lizz’s drinking and going to the hairdresser and getting lots of colours in her hair.
I will always remember her favourite things like boxing, going on diets, fishing at Southport, chocolate, playing netball, gardening and most of all Slim Dusty.
She spoiled us so much, she took me to netball, the pool almost every night and did wheelies every where we went.
I will miss mums big cuddles and it will be hard doing my hair without any bumps, so I will just do pony tails unless I’m staying at Minnie’s house.
I will miss her loud laugh and I will think about mum painting my new bedroom when I’m sleeping in there and it will be sad that daddy has no one to sleep in his bedroom with him.
I don’t want to grow up without my mum, but I know she will be with me everywhere I go and I can talk to her.”
- Breeanna
"I love my mum she was cool and she is best I could have. Mum love roses. She love to paint. She love us. She love to got to the pool."
- Bronte
Spending Your Dash
I read of a man who stood up to speak at the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on his tombstone from the beginning to the end.
He noted that first came his date of birth, and spoke of the date of his death with tears, but said what mattered most of all was the dash between those years.
For that dash represents all the time that he spent alive on the earth, and now only those who loved him know what that little line is worth.
For it matters not how much we own, the cars, the house, the cash, what matters most is how we live and love and how we spend our dash.
So think about it long and hard, are there things you’d like to change?
For you never know how much time is left that can still be rearranged.
If we could just slow down enough to consider what is true and real, and try to understand the way other people feel.
Be less quick to anger and show appreciation more, and love the people in our lives like we’ve never loved them before.
Treat each other with respect, and more often wear a smile, remembering this special dash might only last a while.
So when your eulogy is being read, with your life’s actions to rehash, would you be proud of the things they say about how you spent your dash.
- Anonymous
“I knew Mel because I was lucky enough to be Bronte’s teacher in her prep year. I remember well Mel assisting in the classroom and always being there for her children. She was so proud of Bronte and her achievements and so enormously supportive of her educational program. (As she was for all her children and their teachers).
It was an absolute joy knowing Melanie. She sparkled and made the world around her a more generous and happy place.”
- Helen Richardson
“It was the saddest day when I stood there to say goodbye to Mel – she was one of the kindest, funniest most beautiful people I knew. With the BIGGEST smile for everyone she met.”
- Emma & Adrian Bennett
“Life is for living, and she did it so well. We will miss her.”
- Wendy Francis & Family
“There are no words to express how much Mel’s smile and bubbly personality will be missed.”
- Rilla, Bruce, Bianca & Felicity
“The world has lost some of its sparkle; our memories will be fond thoughts of Mel’s wonderful personality and shared times so full of fun.
- Richard & Anne
Melanie – “she filled our lives with sunshine, and taught us so many things, the importance of laughter, joy in the simple things of life. And that each moment is forever. She smiled at strangers because they might be lonely and loved music, butterflies and babies. I’ll think of her on sunlit days and see her smile in every flower.”
- Jenny, Brian & Family
“Catching up with Mel when I was out earlier this year was always a great laugh. I often met her at the Huonville pool with your children – enjoying the summer. Mel would be on her fold out chair in the kiddie’s shade area! Always having a laugh. She always was full of life and probably the most down to earth girl I have ever met. She accepted people for who they were and never judged people for what they did."
- Danielle Ruck
“She was such a vibrant happy person who will be greatly missed."
- Ruth, Leigh, Julian & Reuben
“She was truly one to be proud of – gutsy, feisty, and with a heart of gold. She will leave a space too big to fill. Assembly at school won’t be the same without her. Sitting at the piano, I could see her big grin at the back of the hall, or watched her dash out into the passage to keep an eye on the smallest ones, while trying to catch the action on stage.”
- Vernan & Judy
“50 words to Describe Mel” (above)
- Corey, Brooke and Cayden Woolley
“May Melanie’s happy, vibrant and cheeky personality live on in all your hearts and dreams”
- Steve, Mat and Millie
“I’ll never forget my dear school friend, taken from us way too soon. Mel will be the brightess star in the sky."
- Shelly Cordwell
“Melanie was one of a kind with a bright, bubbly personality, caring nature, she will be sadly missed by everyone.”
- Gay & Beau
“as the saying goes’, angels are disguised as ordinary people Mel too was an angel but not ordinary. I don’t think Mel realised the gift she carried."
- Trudi Wass
"Mel's bubbly personality will be sadly missed"
- Gary, Glenyse, Whitney & Alyce Coulson
"It won't be the same not seeing Mel's smiling face around the school and the swimming pool."
- Tracey, Gerard, Emma & Jakeb Shelverton
"How could we ever forget that beautiful cheeky smile of Mel's."
- Pat Oates & Family
"I personally loved Mel so dearly from when I met her as a cute little blond bombshell aged 3. I enjoyed teaching her and watching her develop through her school years into a vibrant, happy teenager."
- Helen Sorensen
“I remember when Mel was about Joel’s age; Gail and Philip were baby sitting and brought her to our home. She got out of the car and stood watching Philip's brothers kick a football to each other. Next she tackled them and took the ball! The boys weren’t used to girls playing. “Whose that kid?” they said.
“Here comes Mel” Mel cried.
Mel always had a smile and a laugh, always pleased to say hello, always with a baby on her hip.”
- Mylrea Paul
"Casey’s memory of Mel was when Mel was cutting her fringe. She cut it too short and Casey told Mel it was too short and Mel replied with “We’ll just pin it back Case!”
- Casey Supplice
“A few of the funniest memories of Mel was fishing off Dover Jetty, having a few ciders listening to country music blaring from Mel’s new car at the time. Another time was when Mel worked at Woolworths a time when boyfriends were purely just accessories. I’ll never forget standing at the counter with the “NEW” boyfriend when Mel said.
“So Em where is your other half?”
“Here Mel”. I replied
“No Seriously “, she said. “Where is he?”
“Seriously Mel,” I said. “Here right here- meet Pierre”.
I’ll never forget it, it was so very funny. I don’t know whether it was the fact of having a new boyfriend so fast or the fact his name was “Pierre”. Both Probably."
- Em
Melanie's Favourite Song
LOOKING FORWARD LOOKING BACK by Slim Dusty
Looking forward, looking back
I’ve come a long way down the track
Got a long way left to go
Making songs, from what I know
Making sense of what I’ve seen
All the love we’ve had between
You and I, along the track
Looking forward, looking back
There are strange days
Full of change on the way
But we’ll be fine, unlike some
I’ll be leaning forward, to see what’s coming
Looking forward, looking back
I’ve come a long way down the track
Got a long way left to go
Making songs, from what I know
If I’m alone at night, I can see
Through all the triviality
Of the day and I’m okay
I just think of those who are dear to me
Looking forward, looking back
I’ve come a long way down the track
Got a long way left to go
Making songs, from what I know
Making songs, from what I know
Looking forward, looking back …
“Clinton was riding on his mini bike, Mel wanted to have a go but Clinton kept on telling her no. So Mel got pissed off and as Clinton was coming around the corner she knocked him clean of the bike and got on it, riding off laughing”
- Jason & Lyanda & Family
“One afternoon I was chatting to Melanie waiting for our kids. When they arrived I was horrified to find I had sent Tom to school without a drink.
“That’s nothing” says Melanie “I sent Bronte to school once without any knickers on!”
I knew Melanie as a mum. One that I will strive to be like. – relaxed without a care in the world enjoying her kids.”
- Tamara (Roney) Bartels
“Melanie was a little girl just starting her school career when I met her. She was such a bright, smiling, bouncy little girl who touched the hearts of teachers and children alike. She was always caring and helpful and a pleasure to have in our school.”
- Jean Campbell
“I know Melanie loved her family very much and was one of the best mums I ever met. I will miss seeing Melanie around the traps and just wanted her children to know what a friendly, happy, bubbly, down to earth person their mum was."
- Michelle Flakemore
The Angels
“I first met Melanie at the hair salon where Carol Brown and Lucy Roberts had been loyal clients and friends of Stephan Rogers. I was a new apprentice and very nervous, just getting my confidence when I was presented with Clinton and Melanie and told to give them a trim.
Well the most lovely beautiful children, first came Clinton, not a word was said and the most polite well behaved little boy, clearly brought up well by his mother, and a smiling angel. Then the other angel, well so I thought. She thumped into the chair, the comments started. “You’re not cutting my bloody hair, I am bloody growing it!”
Well I was shocked. Carol came from around the corner and said give it a good trim, as Melanie glared back. I was in a dilemma what to do. Melanie decided for both of us that we could pretend to cut it, and all would be ok, but for me the thought of Carol to pay for nothing, wrong.
Finally we agreed to give it a light trim, and proceeded to trim the back, allowing the hair to fall on my lap of which I quickly shoved into my pockets, as Melanie’s sharp eye was checking the floor to where I let little fall. Probably the only teenager I ever met through the place that could threaten with a smile, clearly a girl who got her way.
The characters you meet in your life. She was certainly one of them that bring a smile to my face. Larger than life with a warm smile, a beautiful character.
I first sighted her children today at the funeral and the first thing I noticed was the striking likeness of the angels I first met in the salon almost two decades before. Pleased to know this unique beautiful character’s nature and soul will be passed onto her lovely children."
- Nicholas Salt
“Mel, words cannot describe the hole you have left or the confusion that surrounds us. An angel that once walked the earth has left and gone back to heaven.”
- Taryn (punky), Jeff, Monster Max, Princess Stephie and bubby
I didn’t know Mel Personally;
In Fact, I’ve never met her.
I do know if our paths had crossed,
I sure wouldn’t forget her!
The only Melanie I know
Was proudly shown to me
In a book of lovely photographs,
Carol’s “creative memories”.
I saw Mel’s wedding photos;
She certainly was a star.
Then babies took over the scene
With Grandpa and Grandma.
Hilarious party shots at times.
Mel knew how to celebrate,
Anniversaries and birthdays
Those times were really great.
It was a privilege to share
So many good occasions
That shaped their loving family
Making life a celebration.
The bond between Carol and Mel
Was special, we all know.
Always there for one another;
Even with five kids in tow!
But now life’s changed for everyone,
For Daniel and family.
The legacy that’s left to you
Are the memories of Melanie!
- Betsy Straatsma
"Melanie was a special gift to the world, full of infectious joviality - she is greatly missed.
- Joe Carol & Clint Campisi
"Melanie will be very sadly missed. - She was larger than life, will leave a huge void."
- Merimy & Tony
"Melanie was a joy. Beautiful, contagious smile. Thank you for sharing your warm memories with us. Forever will you be in our hearts".
- Jan & Michelle Brown
“Melanie was the type of person that was more than willing to stand up for her values. She made sure her family were well cared for. I think Melanie was the kind of person who enjoyed life, made the most of life and left no rock unturned to ensure that those she loved enjoyed life just as much.
Yes, there my be some people who wondered about Melanie because of her forth rightness, others may have cringed at what they saw Mel do, wishing they had the courage to do the same.
Whatever you thought of Mel, it was not about to worry her. She enjoyed life and lived her life with no regrets.”