Born: 27 July 1907Elizabeth Eleanor Wookey, pictured with her great grandaughter Cada Elizabeth Zorgdrager, just befor
UPWEY centenarian Elizabeth Wookey has died.
Mrs Wookey passed away in hospital last week after being admitted with a lung complaint.
Bess, as many knew the respected community figure, was a much loved life member and former president of Upwey Fire Brigade Auxiliary and a former stalwart of the Upwey Country Women’s Association (CWA).
She also worked with the Red Cross and Blind Babies Association.
Mrs Wookey was buried at Ferntree Gully Cemetery after a funeral at Upwey’s Darling Avenue Baptist Church on Monday 17 March.
Upwey CFA’s Peter Marke delivered one of four eulogies at the service.
“In typical fashion, she had her last hours all planned,” Mr Marke said.
Through her family, Mrs Wookey had sent a message asking him to speak at her funeral.
“Some lovely people leave us with our sadness and respect but without having made a great impact on us or our community,” he said.
“Not Mrs W.”
Mr Marke first met Mrs Wookey in 1960 through a friendship with her son Richard.
From there she showed an interest in the Upwey CFA, and joined the auxiliary about two years later.
“She had a very strong commitment to the brigade,” Mr Marke said.
Mrs Wookey’s persona was direct, forthright and stern, he said, and she was a strong leader.
“She did not tolerate fools or procrastination,” he said.
“But the real Mrs W was extremely compassionate, considerate and caring.”
He said she loved to chat about Upwey’s CFA, township issues and its people.
“She was a major influence in the history of the brigade and Upwey – an institution who will be greatly missed but never forgotten,” he said.
Mr Marke estimated more than 150 people attended the funeral.
Members of the Upwey brigade formed a guard of honour at the church and the cemetery.
“It was a representation of the affection and the regard and esteem that people had for her,” he said.
For her 100th birthday, Mrs Wookey requested donations to the brigade in lieu of gifts, raising more than $2000.
Part of the donation was used to install a clock and plaque commemorating her great service to the brigade.
Mrs Wookey is survived by children John, Leo and Richard, grandchildren Anne, Ruth, David, Jane, Douglas, Desleigh, Carrie, Jeffrey, Melinda and Emma and great grandchildren Elisa, Nikolas, Amanda, Sarah, Gemma, Blake, Lucy, Claire, Ambah, Billy, AJ, Cada, Kayla, Nathan, Jason and Andrew.
