girls and their cousins the Houstons who attended MLC School. Her lifelong best friend from school, Helen Wolfson (McKinnon, 1946), said Margaret was a bit of a tomboy at school. They fondly remembered their school days playing tennis, netball, running in three legged races and attending gym classes. After finishing school Margaret graduated from the Muriel Steinbeck Film Academy. Soon after, through Helen, she met well known Sydney Photographer John Hearder who she married and then assisted him in his studio in Castlereagh Street, Sydney and also later at Cremorne. Margaret and John were married for 51 years, had two children Tony and Susie and spent their leisure time sailing. After John’s death in 2000, Margaret started her travelling era with partner and world-class yachtsman Gordon Ingate, going to sailing regattas all over the world. At 76 Margaret joyfully became a grandmother. Until recently Margaret attended MLC School functions and was always thankful for her education at the School. Her daughter Susie says that Margaret had a long and happy life and died peacefully at her home in Pearl Beach on 22 April 2015. Lynette Degotardi (Barker, 1949) It is with great sadness that Shirley Mowday (Petherbridge, 1949) and Frances Lawson (Abbott, 1949) report the loss of their life-long MLC School friend, Lynette Degotardi (Barker, 1949). Lynette died in hospital on 20 July 2015 with her beloved children at her bedside a few days after suffering a sudden and unexpected stroke in her home at Lennox Head Lynette always valued the close friendships she formed at MLC School and stayed in contact with Verna Dimsdale (Moore, 1949), Mary Pogson (McGregor, 1949) and Pat Thomson (Hextall, 1949) as well as Shirley and Frances with both of whom she shared a special bond. After graduating in Medicine at University of Sydney where she met her husband, Peter Degotardi, she and Peter established a successful Medical Practice in Dural, NSW. In the early 1960s they set off with their three young children and Lynette’s sister, overland from Bombay to London in a
converted ‘war surplus’ three-tonne blitz truck (which was shipped with them from Sydney on a cargo carrier and was their mobile home for the trip). There were many adventures on the way which Peter recorded later in life. It was while living in England that tragedy struck with the accidental death of their eldest child, six year-old David. Lynette suffered tremendously from this loss but went on with great stoicism and was to have four more children after their return to Dural where Lynette and David continued their Practice. Lynette had a very successful career in Medicine. She had strong ethical beliefs regarding equality for women and safe access to medical care for children. Her interest led to practising community medicine and immunisation clinics for local Councils and women’s health clinics for Family Planning NSW at Parramatta and Mount Druitt. Lynette was keenly aware of the difficulties faced by women in countries where education and access to fresh water and sanitation is limited and particularly supported programs that enabled access to these such as World Vision and Amnesty International. She was also a great supporter of Indigenous Community Volunteers programs. When Peter was struck with Parkinson’s Disease, Lynette spent many years caring for him with her usual great empathy and cheerfulness. It was during this time that tragedy struck them again with the early death of their eldest daughter, Elinor. Lynette was an avid gardener and maintained acres of beautiful grounds. She was also an adventurous traveller and traversed the country with Peter and the children in their four-wheel drive on camping expeditions. They also regularly travelled abroad as Lynette was keenly interested in the history and culture of other countries. Small in stature with enormous inner strength, enduring sadness with great fortitude, Lynette was a dedicated doctor, a warm and loving wife, sister, mother and grandmother and a very dear friend who will be sorely missed by all who were lucky enough to know her.
Darelle Wynne (Wilson, 1956) Ruth Nichol (McAllister, 1956) wrote to tell us of the passing of Darelle Wynne (Wilson, 1956) on 21 August 2015, and of their special friendship that began at MLC School and continued for over 60 years. Darelle worked for the Public Service for many years and was a volunteer with the VADs for a short time. She resided in Canberra for 40 years. Unfortunately 10 years ago she was diagnosed with MS and spent her last years in hospital. Darelle is survived by her husband John, sister Rhonda Wilson (MLC School class of 1958), daughters Melissa and Letitia and their families. Ruth wished to say thank you to all of Darelle’s MLC School friends. Beverley Rose Muddle (Banfield, 1959) Beverley’s husband Norman wrote to us to tell us of the passing of his beloved wife on 18 May 2015. Beverley attended MLC School for only two years from 1955 to 1957 but remembered the School fondly for her whole life. Both Beverley and Norman delighted in hearing about the developments at the School, so much so that Norman has asked to still keep receiving news from us. Hilary Cheers (Stone, 1959) Hilary’s husband Arthur has written to tell us that Hilary Cheers (Stone, 1959) passed away peacefully at home on 23 November 2014. Arthur and their son Murray remember Hilary as a loving person who showed care and support for family and her many friends. Heather Sivertsen (Cameron, 1974) The many MLC School friends of Heather Sivertsen (Cameron, 1974) were shocked and saddened to hear of her sudden passing on 23 June 2015. Heather and her husband Bill attended the Windsor reunion of 1974 Old Girls held on 23 May 2015. All the Old Girls who attended told us how they loved reconnecting with Heather after so many years and meeting up with her husband. Heather was a very beautiful woman who will be missed by all her MLC School friends as well as her husband Bill and their children Gabrielle, Lauren and Bonnie.
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