AN ANGEL SINGS

Mary Jean Semmler b. 16.06.1037 – d. 3.12.16

Dubbo recently lost one of it’s valued and much loved community members, Mary Jean Semmler, whose quiet contributions - and not so quiet thanks to the gift of a beautiful singing voice - touched many lives, least of all, her husband Brian who has kindly shared with Dubbo Weekender readers the eulogy he wrote which was read at her funeral by Ken Phillis, in celebration of a long life lived well.

WHILE Mary had a myriad of admirable qualities, the greatest of these was her love for and service to her Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Just as Christ showed love, grace, compassion, gentleness of spirit, caring, forgiveness, understanding, tolerance, and concern for others, so did Mary; and it was through these qualities that she served God throughout her life. In fact one of our sons, in speaking about her the day she died, summed it up when he said “she had a pure heart”.

Even in times of adversity, her faith never faltered. When I would complain about the atrocities which were gripping our world, and say aloud “why doesn’t God do something about it”, her re-assurance would always be “he will, all in his own good time”.

She was blessed with great talent, both natural and acquired, which she employed in serving God and humanity.

Although normally a quiet, retiring person Mary had a unique sense of humour; and even when she was seriously ill she would often come out with a quip that would blow us away. (She could be a bit cheeky at times, but lovingly so!)

The first child of Leslie Eric and Freda Jessie Armour, Mary Jean was born on June 16, 1937. She had two sisters, still living, Helen (born 1938) and Isabel (born 1941).

Their father was a grazier, and they lived on a property near Ladysmith – a small village approximately 20 km east of Wagga Wagga; and the girls’ maternal grandparents had a butcher shop in the village. Mary rode a horse to school, and although WWII had intervened, things were generally good for them.

However, tragically their father died in 1943 at the age of 34, leaving their mother with three little girls.

That meant the selling of the property, but as her father, Leslie, had left the family with a house to live-in and another as a rental property for income in Wagga Wagga, they moved into town. Her mother, Freda, later married again, and a son John was born.

Growing-up in Wagga Wagga Mary attended Gurwood Street Primary School and later Wagga Wagga High School where she completed the Intermediate Certificate, and went on to do a Day Secretarial Course at the Technical College (TAFE as it is now known).

In the meantime, she had studied piano and undertaken singing lessons, gaining skills which she would use to great advantage later in life.

At school she had lead parts in school musicals, and was noticed by a fellow student who thought she was gorgeous (as well as being talented), and who thought he would like to get to know her better. They later also attended the same church and were members of the same tennis club.

Mary and Brian were married on September 6, 1958 at the Wagga Wagga Methodist Church and have three sons, Mark (born 1961), Philip (1963), and Ross (1965).

Mary’s desire to serve the Lord Jesus Christ has seen her have a considerable involvement in church activities as a Sunday school teacher; a religious education in schools’ teacher; a member of the council of elders; organiser/conductor of a junior choir; a church organist (when her son Philip was born she was ‘allowed’ one Sunday away from the organ and was back the following Sunday at her place at the keyboard with Philip in a basket beside her).

As a teenager when most young people her age were going to the beach or playing sport on Sundays, she would teach Sunday school in the morning and then in the afternoon, accompany the minister of the church to country services to play the organ and/or present a vocal solo.

As a member of the former Dubbo City Choristers for 20 years, Mary was lead soprano for most of that time. After that group dissolved, Mary began to sing with Palmer Street Singers and Holy Trinity choirs.

Because of her vocal talents, she has taken many parts in church choirs over the years, including the soprano solos in ‘The Messiah’.

With all the practices and community presentations involved in the various choirs’ activities, she has given hundreds of hours of her time to provide enjoyment for others.

She has also been called upon as a soloist for community occasions and sung at numerous weddings (including her own).

Mary was the Dubbo coordinator of World Day of Prayer, which involved liaison with all branches of the Christian church to arrange annual services; and did this for 31 years.

For 13 years she accompanied Brian to Mendooran one Sunday a month to provide music for a service at the Uniting Church.

Mary had many other involvements. Although she was never a Rotarian herself, the support she gave Brian in his long-term Rotary membership and activity, and through her considerable direct participation in Rotary endeavours and programs, was enormous. Brian says, “I believe it was much more than many Rotarians give!”

Mary was a member of the youth exchange district committee for 12 years, and in that role alone gave-up between 10 and 14 weekends a year over that period, and undertook considerable travel. She was a host mother for five exchange students for Dubbo West Club.

During Brian’s period as Deputy Mayor of the City of Dubbo there were a number of occasions on which he was acting mayor and Mary acting mayoress, and in that role she carried out her duties with grace, dignity, and purpose.

Like many other parents, Mary worked tirelessly for the school which her children attended.

For a number of years in the 1970s and ‘80s Mary delivered Meals on Wheels; and for the last fifteen years she and Brian had taken on that role again.

Last year, in recognition for her tremendous contribution to family, church, and the community, the Rotary Club of Dubbo West awarded her a Rotary Foundation Paul Harris Fellowship.

Mary has always been extremely talented with handicrafts – knitting, sewing (she made almost all her own clothes – including her wedding dress – and also those of her family over the years), bark picture making, and folk art, etc. She was a very good homemaker.

Life has presented her with some challenges, and even more so at the end, but she has shown great tenacity, resilience, and grace in dealing with them.

Brian reflects, “For as long as I’ve known her, she was always loved and respected, and seen as a real lady by everyone who knew her”.

While in care toward the end of her life, she endeared herself to every person who looked after her. Even in her darkest hours, she never failed to say ‘please’ when asking for something; and ‘thank you’ when anyone did even the smallest thing for her.

Again, Brian says, “Mary was, and always will be, cherished by me – and I was so privileged to have her as my wife for 58 years. We shared a beautiful friendship!”

Grandma, as she was known in the family, was loved unconditionally and adored by her children, grandchildren, and great grandchild. Throughout their lives, and particularly in the latter times, Brian’s love for her grew deeper and deeper; and her response was overwhelming.

Beautiful lady, we know you are now with your Lord and Saviour, and at peace; and we know too that you will now be able to sing with the Angels.

For the last two or three days of her life, Mary tried to say things to those with her, but because of her illness, she couldn’t be understood. However, late in the afternoon of the second of those days Brian played a CD recording of the Dubbo City Choristers singing ‘The Messiah’ to her, and when he put it on, she smiled.

When it came to the first of her solos, he leant over and asked her quietly “Who’s that singing, darling?” And as clear as a bell she said “me”. That was the last word he heard her say.

During the memorial service, this and a second recording featuring Mary singing, was played to which the congregation responded with applause.

With all the practices and community presentations involved in the various choirs’ activities, she has given hundreds of hours of her time to provide enjoyment for others.