Tuross 2015

Courtesy of Rick

Mona Green anyone?

Well I am back manacled to the desk after a happy week in Tuross. How about youse?

There was some conjecture in developing the family tree last week about the real identity of Mona Green who married Jack Roff. Her grandchildren knew her as Mardi and were generally in awe of her. But Eileen Mona Green she was, as per the wedding pics and description attached, obtained from another of Mum's dossiers (Roff, Osborne, Musgrave, Seage, Bernasconi amongst others). A bit of trivia is that Mardi/Mona turned 120 last Monday (12^th Jan). I have never known the Roff's to be big headed, but looking at Jack in the photo I would forgive any of you if you were. Well, he was my grandfather too.

The other wedding shot is of Frank Green, Mona's elder brother, marrying Linda McBride. They produced Don (1922), Noel (1926) and Max (1928). Max died quite young. Noel sadly passed away last week and his funeral was last Friday while we were in Tuross. His son Mark came to Betty's funeral. So there is only one of that generation of Green-Roff remaining…and he (Ken), derived from Walter and Thelma, has lived in Canada since he was 20.

Not sure if you can read the fine print….but trust me.

Brendan

 

Merry Christmas from WA

Sorry we didn't make it to the reunion this year - we hope Dad and Liz represented the WA clan well.

This was our version of Xmas here in Perth - Marry Christmas to everyone!

Love from Kate, Joe, Samuel and Marcus

Happy Birthday Cheeseboy

 

 

Merry Christmas!

Attached is a pic of Glenn Roff's attempt at the 'Mona Lisa' during a game of Pictionary this week. Terrible. 

Jake and I wanted to thank you all for your love and support throughout the year. It has been very tough. Thank you for your letters, phone calls, postcards, emails, visits, texts, cards and gifts.  

Your deposit into our account (thanks Kate for organsing) was greatly appreciated and unexpected, also.  We have purchased something special for Lacho and Maisie (will post a photograph after Christmas, for fear Glenn will tell them what we've bought!), It left some money for Jake and I to spend on ourselves. We will let you know where those funds go too. Thank you, so much. 

We won't make Roff Christmas in January, but will be thinking of you all. 

Lots of love and big hugs

Jake, Kel, Lach and Maisie xxxx (& Kiki) 

Off to work - Hanoi style

Time to finally get rid of the photo of Grant from top post.  (Why did it take so long, I hear you all cry.)

Thought you'd maybe prefer to check out my personal protective equipment for getting to work in Hanoi. And please note the fetching colour coordination. I like to be known for my style.

Julia

Second opinion

Julia thinks it's about time Grant went to a barber. Grant wants a second opinion...

Vale Bonnie

The much-loved Kearton/Roff dog, Bonnie, had to be put down last weekend. She'd been disoriented for a few weeks and has spent the last few years dealing with diabetes and the resultant loss of eyesight and hearing. She spent her last day in a dog hospital and Julia and I were there for the final, peaceful moments.

She had a great life full of adventures and loved her family. Everyone's upset but, as Annika pointed out, she'll live on in the epic feature film, 'Bonnie to the Rescue'. I'll put it on the blog again to remind you of how fearless she was as a family protector.

Grant xx

Roff report

Hi Adam

how are you? I've finally got around to taking a look at the blog. I'm not sure how to post? can you send instructions?

Lou

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Hi Lou,

Whatever you send to adamantly.roff@blogger.com goes on the Roff Report as a post. If you include an attachment it will show up as an image. The instructions are on the right hand side of the blog if you forget. Just don't forget to write your name at the end.

Ad

Vale Paul Doohan

Regretfully I have to report that Cathie's Dad, Paul Doohan, passed away Thursday 23 October. He died peacefully and surrounded by his close family. While his passing was expected, it is painful for the family. The funeral will be at 10am on Thursday 30 October at St Josephs Church The Junction. I am happy to represent the Roff family and pass on our respects.

Paul was always good to me, propped up many of my character cars with timely major repairs and was a wonderful "poobah" to Andrew and Rowan. In his final weeks Cathie and he grew much closer. Like many of his generation he was upright, independent and resourceful and provided a solid and protective life for his family.

If there really are chariots in heaven, I'm sure Paul will have some suggestions to make them run sweeter.

Love

Ash

some more Marcus/Samuel pics...

love from Kate

Introducing...

While this little one doesn't have quite the pedigree of Evie, I am very proud to announce the arrival of Marcus Xavier Powers.

He was born 6am on October 18th, at 52cm and 3.6kgs (7pound 15oz), and is doing well. He looks a lot like Samuel, who is so far relishing the role of big brother.

Joe and I (despite being shocked that the human race hasn't come up with a less traumatic way to produce children) are also doing well and are very grateful for all the family support and well wishes!

Hope we can introduce you to him in person soon,

love from Kate and Joe

Welcome to the family, Evie.

We're having a bad run with losing some of our closest and dearest relatives so here's a good news story - welcome to our new standard Schnauser puppy! We have been waiting for some time to hear from the breeders and finally we received the call to come and pick up the successor to the Guardian of the Eastern Dark. At 8 weeks old she seems to have the right attitude to taking on this great responsibility, with very sharp teeth to match.

After much debate we have named her Evangelion, with a nod to Aunty Betty Seage (Eva) and Andrew and Rowan's favourite Japanese cartoon, Neon Genesis Evangelion. It's Evie for short

Evie has lots of character and very good breeding, her father has been the national champion in Canada, USA and NZ and Supreme Champion in Australia, Unfortunately she is blithe to this pedigree and prefers to eat possum poo!

Ash and Cathie

Vale Norma

Julia's mum, Norma, died on September 12. She was 85, having been born on May 12, 1929. She spent the last six years of her life at Lower Plenty Garden Views care facility and was admitted to hospital a few days before her death with a non-specific infection.

Norma had four children, Robert, Adrian, Julia and Venita, and an adopted daughter, Maria. By the time of her death she had 13 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

A celebration of her life was conducted at Le Pine Chapel, Box Hill, on September 18. It was attended by all her children, many of her grandchildren and a most of her great-grandchildren. Others included two of her sisters, Helen and Janet, and her husband of 37 years, Ron.

The Roffs were represented by Grant, Amanda, Annika and Nicholas.

The order of service started with Amazing Grace followed by a joint eulogy from her four children. It was then the turn of the grandchildren to occupy the pulpit with words of tribute. Annika spoke, as did Nick which included a reflection from Dom who is currently in Canada and obviously unable to attend.

Julia and Nick assembled an audiovisual presentation which covered Norma's time from birth to her last days. It was accompanied by Pachelbel's Cannon in D and painted a comprehensive picture of a rich and interesting life.

Music was important to Norma so the audiovisual presentation was followed by a sing-along which included a medley of player-piano songs the whole family had sung during their many car journeys.

The service finished with 'You are my sunshine'.

If the meaning of life is to love and be loved, Norma was very successful.

The printed order of service finished with a quote from Ashley Montagu which Norma would have enjoyed: "The idea is to die young, as late as possible."

Lourdes

Best funeral and wake ever. Lovely to see the collection of family and friends and enjoy the wonder of Betty's life and times. Brendan sang and Sue Roff organised a choir to sing the Dunbogan song. Fortunately, Louise Thomas was there to lead it as some of us were patchy with the words. Aunty Betty was a saint. RIP.
Grant xx

Mass of Thanksgiving and Farewell

Joan Eva (Betty) Seage
20th April 1924 – 20th August 2014

Lourdes Chapel, Lourdes Village, Killara
Monday 25 August 2014

Vale Aunty Betty

Sad news. Betty Seage died last night (Monday 19/08/14). Aunty Betty would have been 90 this year and had a long life rich with the love of her immediate and extended family. She contraced a chest infection ten days ago and was unable to recover. I'm sure the Roff family will keep the Seages, particularly Uncle Ken, close to their hearts in the coming days. We will post news on the funeral service when it becomes available. God bless Aunty Betty.

-Grant

Dom departs

Dom had a farewell family breakfast with siblings at Melbourne airport this morning - the enthusiasm on  the faces suggests it was an earlier start than usual for some.

Dom and Katie have both just finished their degrees (well some are slightly more finished than others....) and have headed off on for a working holiday in Canada. They have 2 year visas but are not sure how long they'll stay  - depends on work opportunities and how the money holds out.
Here's hoping Dom follows Zac and Lizzie's lead, and keeps the family occasionally informed of his wherabouts by putting the odd post up on the Roffreport. Have fun Dom and Katie.

Uncle Grant

I hope this works, and you may have seen this already on Face Book but here is a great photo of me, jenny and Gandalf enjoying the super 15 final at the Wicklow. Luke was there as well.