19 October 2021 · 2021-10 newsletter
On Tuesday 28 September we farewelled our loyal friend and long-time member of the Schoenstatt Family in Melbourne. God called Ron home on 21 September after a long illness.
It was a fitting and genuine testimony to Ron’s authentic, loyal service to Schoenstatt in Melbourne that more than 350 were able to attend the online funeral service.
We offer our sincere sympathy to Ron’s beloved wife Tarnia, who was by his side for 50 years of marriage, to his mother and to his family. It was significant that the parish priest gave a special blessing to Tarnia and Ron during the funeral Mass because the couple had been unable to have a Mass to celebrate their golden wedding anniversary in June due to the lockdown restrictions.
I speak as a member of the Schoenstatt movement and community in Melbourne and have known Ron for the past 24 years or so, introduced to Ron and his family by my late father, Vince Dawson. Ron was certainly one of the pioneers of our movement in Melbourne and played a leadership role for decades.
Ron was drawn to Schoenstatt by his love for Our Lady and her Son. Together with Tarnia by his side, Ron became a Pilgrim Mother Co-ordinator and ensured that he passed on the Pilgrim Mother Shrine of the Blessed Mother to families in his circle for over 20 years. The Pilgrim Mother Shrine from their circle was on the coffin during the Mass.
Ron was on the committee of Schoenstatt Melbourne for all this time and served as Treasurer. Ron took this role seriously and shared his professional ability by being the Treasurer for many years. He gave of his time to attend committee meetings, celebrations at the Kew Shrine and very importantly, he was the organiser of the Schoenstatt Melbourne annual fundraiser, namely the Dinner Dance. At this event Ron was not only organiser but also chief cook, as the committee members catered for the dinner dance themselves for many years until just in the latter years, when caterers were hired.
Ron worked tirelessly in the background of all spiritual events, ensuring that as soon as Mass was over, people could enjoy refreshments and a cuppa. One would see Ron set up tables and organise for the urn to be turned on, in time for people to enjoy a cuppa after Mass.
Ron was greatly loved by the community and had a sharp sense of humour. Ron’s service to the community extended to social gatherings which included hosting members at his home and organising holidays and trips away for his friends, many of whom were also members of the Schoenstatt community. Ron would share his love of music, whilst Tarnia would cook scrumptious treats for their guests. Ron will be deeply missed, and our thoughts and prayers are extended to Tarnia and the family.
A very personal memory I have of Ron was his deep respect and friendship with my late father, Vince Dawson, his loyalty to the Schoenstatt movement in Melbourne, his support of me personally, and his constant enquiry about the well-being of my family. Ron was a family man who shared stories of his children and grandchildren, whom he was so proud of. We will truly miss this important person and member of our Schoenstatt Family in Melbourne.
Karin Southgate on behalf of the Melbourne Schoenstatt Family.
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