Farewell Fay Cadzow: a loving parent and revered community member

People from across the Stawell community have recognised the passing of Fay Cadzow, with tributes from family and community groups leading the way.

Mrs Cadzow passed away at the Stawell Hospital on September 2, 2021.

She was the dearly loved wife of Bill (Dec.), loving mother, mother-in-law and Grandma to Jeffrey, Leigh and families.

In a message to social media, Stawell Regional Health paid tribute to Mrs Cadzow's contribution to Stawell.

"It is with great sadness that we also extend our condolences to the family and friends of Fay Cadzow who passed earlier this month," they said.

"Fay was a long standing and highly regarded member of the Hospital Ladies Auxiliary and a Life Governor of the health service.

"Known for her meticulous work as treasurer, Fay was also the driving force behind the very successful annual Wine and Savoury fund raising events.

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"Fay set the standards high in terms of presentation and styling of food and still won prizes in a recent regional baking competition."

"Fay's contribution and dedication to Stawell Regional Health and the community it serves will not be forgotten."

At the memorial service on September 8, Jeffery Cadzow also paid tribute to his mother.

"We knew that we had it pretty good," he said.

"When your school lunch consists of a three-course meal, dry biscuits and cheese, a chicken leg with salad, followed by a trifle in a Tupperware container, you just know.

"Mum was a pretty good cook. And I don't think that I will be the only one who is going to miss that shortbread at Christmas time.

In paying tribute to his mother, Jeffery also recounted her life as she moved through Central Victoria before settling in many different parts of the Wimmera.

Mrs Cadzow was born in Quambatook, on June 29 in 1932 and she was the eldest of four girls.

At a young age she and her family moved from Barrakee to Charlton, into a quite small two-room house.

From there she went to the Charlton schools before heading to the Bendigo Business College.

She returned to Charlton where she met Bill Cadzow. The pair began a three-year romance which would lead to marriage.

Once married, the Cadzow's moved and tried their hands at many different things in life.

For a while they worked at Avon Plains, between Donald and Marnoo and in 1967 the family moved to Willaring on the Stawell side of Marnoo.

After a couple of years on the farm they bought the Post Office at Marnoo and Jeffrey recounts this time in Marnoo as a special one.

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"The 10 years or so that we were in Marnoo was a wonderful period in all our lives," he said.

"We had a great time as teenagers and adolescents. Mum and Dad made many, many lifelong friends. Mum learnt cake decorating, and she was bloody good at it."

After time in Marnoo, the family moved closer to the Grampians where Mrs Cadzow was involved with the Halls Gap service station, a hardware store, opened the Great Western Dining Room, spent time with the Stawell Hospital Ladies Auxiliary and served as a life governor of the health service.

Jeffrey fondly remembers his mother's generosity and the way she impacted the lives of people around her.

"For as long as I can remember Mum has given away food, particularly to people who she thinks would appreciate it," he said.

"The only thing that she ever wanted in return was to have her containers back.

"Mum was always there for us always supporting and trying to ensure that we made sensible decisions. As a parent she has set the bar pretty high.

"In recent conversations she had mentioned a number of times that she had had a wonderful life with a wonderful family. And well, we had a wonderful Mother. We love you Mum."

Due to COVID restrictions a private family burial was held at 11am on Wednesday, September 8, with a recording of the service available on the Fred Crouch and Sons website.

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