Sep 2007
We wondered about whether Snow would be well enough to celebrate his 98th birthday in September. In the weeks before his birthday, his health had been of concern - a tumble resulted in black eye, head gash and numerous bruises. He wasn't able to get around unaided- and refused a walking stick or walker.
Luckily on his birthday he was relatively clear in mind and fit in body, so we drove him to Clem's home for a gathering of all his children . Snow dozed most of the day, but was alert for the cake cutting- a red Kombie van just like the one he drove in the 1960s.
Jayne and Mark, Rob and I are still busy looking after the gardens and clearing the house and Snow's tool collection. Some surprise finds include about 100 drill bits in only 2 sizes, about 500 sheets of sandpaper and emery paper, and millions of rusty bits and bobs.
Rob and I still visit Snow every fortnight and Jean, CLem's wife, visits on Friday afternoons. Many days Snow is not very aware of our presence, and now wants to doze off a lot, often only awake for 10 minutes at a time.
Some days he talks about the past- travelling in the sulky, the old life in Gayndah and Monto, the hard times in Southern Cross and at Richmond, about the jobs he has had - building a church at Jambin, painting the Richmond Station, Biloela hospital, his sign writing and glass painting.
Sadly Snow departed this life 4 weeks after his 98th birthday. Unusually, Rob saw the need to visit with Snow on a Friday, instead of our usual Sunday. Snow was lucid and in very good spirits and Rob had a most enjoyable visit. Snow died about 36 hours later- just did not wake up one morning.
We wondered about whether Snow would be well enough to celebrate his 98th birthday in September. In the weeks before his birthday, his health had been of concern - a tumble resulted in black eye, head gash and numerous bruises. He wasn't able to get around unaided- and refused a walking stick or walker.
Luckily on his birthday he was relatively clear in mind and fit in body, so we drove him to Clem's home for a gathering of all his children . Snow dozed most of the day, but was alert for the cake cutting- a red Kombie van just like the one he drove in the 1960s.
Jayne and Mark, Rob and I are still busy looking after the gardens and clearing the house and Snow's tool collection. Some surprise finds include about 100 drill bits in only 2 sizes, about 500 sheets of sandpaper and emery paper, and millions of rusty bits and bobs.
Rob and I still visit Snow every fortnight and Jean, CLem's wife, visits on Friday afternoons. Many days Snow is not very aware of our presence, and now wants to doze off a lot, often only awake for 10 minutes at a time.
Some days he talks about the past- travelling in the sulky, the old life in Gayndah and Monto, the hard times in Southern Cross and at Richmond, about the jobs he has had - building a church at Jambin, painting the Richmond Station, Biloela hospital, his sign writing and glass painting.
Sadly Snow departed this life 4 weeks after his 98th birthday. Unusually, Rob saw the need to visit with Snow on a Friday, instead of our usual Sunday. Snow was lucid and in very good spirits and Rob had a most enjoyable visit. Snow died about 36 hours later- just did not wake up one morning.
(Layout Credits: Watch element by Tina Williams)
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