Elaine is my mother. Married to Des for 54 years, they have raised 4 children who have given them 12 grandchildren. Her family is the most important thing in her life today:
At 84, Elaine’s motto, “Life is for the living”, sums up her journey to date and her plans, hopes and dreams. Although temporarily incapacitated following a recent knee operation, Elaine is an active octogenarian who loves travelling and spending time with friends, especially if over breakfast or lunch.
The third of four girls born to Mardie and Harold, a Chatswood Dentist, Elaine grew up on the upper north shore of Sydney, attending Abbotsleigh Ladies College.
Elaine’s years have been packed with achievements and her stories reveal mostly happy times. Marriage and having 4 children are the events that most changed her life.
Elaine was not encouraged when young to obtain an education or seek a career. She would do a few things differently if she had her time again:
However, over the years Elaine has worked in a diverse range of fields including plane spotter during WWII, a Governess in country NSW, dental nurse and librarian in London.
Elaine recalls the drama and excitement of one of her earliest jobs, as a 15 year old plane spotter during the war:
Elaine recalls the saddest moment in her life was the death during WWII of her very close friend, John. A life changing event that broke her heart, it changed forever the path she believed she would follow and to this day is a difficult memory:
John’s parents did not cope well with the loss of their only child and despite her own grief, Elaine was left to help them with their loss. She rose above the adversity of that time with a “nothing is going to beat me – have to go on living” attitude.
Through the course of Elaine’s journey she has gained much and lost some. With age she has gained confidence, wisdom and tolerance and during that period, many friends and the opportunities to do the things that were sacrifices or beyond reach when younger. The most valuable thing Elaine has lost is the friendship of those who have passed on:
Growing older has resulted in the loss of some mobility – if she had one wish it would be to go back to the age of 60 when her health was great and she had so many years left to look forward to.
Elaine notes that she’s “had a good life with a few bumps on the way”. Today, she looks forward to good health, Des’ health returning to normal and being active again. She’s confident on that front with her Specialist saying she will live well into her 90’s!
(Conversation with Simon, Elaine's son, January 2011)