VALE
JOAN MORGAN McCARTHY
26.07.1938 - 12.08.2024
Joan was a unique person who lived life to the full and finally decided it was her time to go. Death comes to us all, to some its unexpected, to others it's too long in coming, and others live out their last days in pain with loss of dignity. Not so for Joan, her life ended on her own terms, with peace and dignity. Yes, many of us are sad to lose her, but let's remember this was her wish and respect it.
Joan loved her family, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, sisters and nieces, and many friends, who will miss her, and have many precious memories.
She lived a varied and interesting life doing many different things and always with enthusiasm. She had been a swimming teacher, milliner, clerk, psychiatric nurse, catalyst, salesperson, health educator, advocate for peace, co-ordinator, pilot, speaker, project officer, health administrator, puppeteer, life artist model, writer, publisher, dancer, all which gave her the experience to become a wise woman.
At a beautiful ceremony in New Zealand, she dedicated her life to the service of others, and she has kept this promise and many of us have been the recipient of her wisdom and kindness.
She was a trail blazer, almost before her time as her ideas were different and innovative and sometimes shocking to some. Her books are full of ideas that are cutting edge, even before others thought of them.
Joan opened her arms to death and died with dignity on 12th August 2024 at the Pegasos Swiss Association a Voluntary Assisted Dying organization. Her daughter Jenny and granddaughter Louise, who were with, her say it was a privilege and honour to be alongside her on her last journey.
Joan's books are still available from this website.
TANKA'S TO ENJOY
This time a poem or tanka is featured. Tanka means short song and is only five lines long using only thirty-one syllables or less. They are to be read twice and slowly to absorb the meaning. Have a go at writing a Tanka yourself, it's fun to do.
Joan
The wattle has gone
so has she
blooms will return
She will not
But leaves precious memories
Nature
wild winds blow
seas roil with white foam
Boats founder
Trees bend crack and fall
Forget natures strength at your peril
SHORT STORIES TO ENJOY
Welcome to Marjobooks SHORT STORIES and POEMS. As well as our magnificent books we are now publishing FREE online short stories and now poems. Occasionally a new one will appear, so keep checking. In case you missed any or want to revisit all the previous short stories are still there just click on short stories and they will appear. Please remember these stories/poems are copyright to the author, so cannot be reproduced without the permission of Marjobooks.
This Month's Story
Apologies for no short story this month. Maureen has been busy publishing her debut novel SECRETS OF THE BANYAN. It's a cracker of a book and will keep you reading for days.
Last Month's : Dadirri
Words of wisdom can be an inspiration and we offer you the words of Aboriginal elder, storyteller, writer, teacher and Senior Australian of the Year 2021, Miriam-Rose Ungunmerr-Baumann, a woman Maureen had the pleasure to know while living at Daly River, Northern Territory.
Read now !STOP PRESS
Another new book from Marjobooks!
THE WORLD THROUGH MY EYES: An Anthology About End Of Life
"This anthology of creative explorations on death and dying, is both a generous act of service and an important contribution to a literary field that deserves greater support. Australians' death literacy - our understanding of death, dying and grieving, and how to respond when exposed to them - is unfortunately low. No experience is more certain, yet we frequently ignore the topic as though that will somehow prevent it. Discussions of death and dying, ageing, mortality, end-of-life planning, and voluntary assisted dying are of great public interest in NSW and nationwide. This collection is an artistic and creative intervention into these issues, and it will undoubtedly achieve social impact for the public good."
Felicity Blake, Director; The Dove Media.
To find out more, follow this link to The World Through My Eyes
Order your copy NOW!
SECRETS OF THE BANYAN
A change of pace from Marjobooks', inspirational, life changing and unique books. Their latest book is a novel about a resilient woman who changes her outlook on life after visiting the Northern Territory. Set in Sydney, Darwin and Daly River Northern Territory. With her you will encounter the unusual flora and fauna, including crocodiles, the spectacular Daly River, famous for its barramundi fishing, meet Indigenous people who live and work there, and of course find out the secrets of the Banyan Tree.