FRIENDS and relatives of Beth Nelson and Pat Fitzgerald gathered for a celebration of their lives on Sunday December 10, 2023.
Artist and environmentalist, Beth, passed away in July last year and her partner Pat, a well known ecologist, activist and scientist passed a few months later in November.
Warren Fitzgerald and Janet Kan, sister to Pat, spoke of the couple’s years together and their mutual passion for the natural world and in particular the Back Creek Gorge.
They also spoke of this past year when Beth and later, Patrick were both so sick and didn’t get to spend their last months together.
It was a tragic situation.
There were stories from those who knew them well and fondly and also tales from very early days when Patrick’s father, Paddy, began the fight for Killarney Glen and the ancient rock pool and waterfall at the bottom of the gorge.
It’s a rare and precious time when the mountain folk get together to catch up on family news and forget about the jobs waiting to be done.
A memorial to loved ones is a time for swapping funny and nostalgic stories, remembering their lives and reflecting on their own lives.
There were a number of photos and Beth’s paintings on the walls and endless homemade cakes, scones and sandwiches supplied by the ladies of the CWA and other people who just love to cook.
