A packed Rutherglen Memorial Hall farewelled the town resident of 30 years last Wednesday, June 7.
Jeanette Frances McIntosh passed away on Saturday, May 27, aged 67, after losing her battle with cancer.
The beautiful sound of ‘Candle in the Wind’ greeted mourners to the funeral service conducted by Tony Jones of Tobin Funerals who was a long-time friend of the family.
“This is a tremendous turn-out. Steve (husband) and Sam (son) are so overwhelmed,” Mr Jones told mourners. “Steve said Jeanette really did touch so many lives.”
Special, emotional tributes were delivered by Jeanette’s brother Merv, Steve and Sam, and included the following.
Jeanette was born in Benalla on May 24, 1956, to Percival and Edna LePoidevin. She was the firstborn, followed by her brother Merv in 1959.
They resided in Edna’s parents’ house in Barkly Street, Benalla, until moving into a home of their own on Salisbury Street. During her childhood, Jeanette forged a lifelong friendship with Colleen.
She attended Benalla East Primary School, and later graduated from Benalla High in 1974 with HSC which included Maths and Science. Continuing her education, she enrolled in Science at LaTrobe University. Not enjoying the course, Jeanette went to work at Melbourne University in administration.
In 1976, Jeanette came home to Benalla to work for the Department of Agriculture where she worked her way to being the Regional Human Resource Manager.
It was during this time that she joined Rotaract, where she met Steve, in 1981.
They tied the knot on March 16, 1985, and settled in Benalla, joyfully welcoming their son Sam to the family in 1990.
In 1991, they relocated to Rutherglen and built and moved into their home in 1993.
Jeanette had various jobs in Rutherglen including Department of Agriculture, NSW Community Health, Albury Regional Laundry and finishing her career at the Corowa Shire Council cum Federation Council.
Following her retirement, she worked remotely for the Lachlan Shire.
Jeanette had a passion for volunteering, from scoring at Merv’s cricket matches, she continued to engage in larger ventures like the babysitting club, school councils, school canteen, hockey club, country fair and following retirement, at the Rutherglen Visitor Information Centre, Indigo North Health and the CFA.
Jeanette was an incredibly devoted mother, always putting Sam first. In addition to her dedication to family and volunteering, she nurtured a love for both travel and genealogy/family history, embarking on numerous adventures across Australia, Asia, Europe, New Zealand, and Russia, which often encompassed exploring her and Steve’s family history.
In 2017, Sam married Jade, and in 2020, her first grandson, Spencer, was born, followed by Finn in 2021.
Jeanette adored being a ‘Nan’ and took great pride in her boys.
Tragically, in late 2022, Jeanette was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
Tributes were also delivered by son of Jeanette’s best friend Colleen, Craig Exton, close friend Jo Slattery and the CFA’s David Hawkey.
Former Corowa Shire Council General Manager Bruce Corcoran described Jeanette as “a good worker, very conscientious, very capable and highly regarded by all” in her approximate 15 years on council.
A wonderful photo tribute was displayed to the songs ‘Sailing’ and ‘How Do I Say Goodbye’.
Jeanette’s family speakers at the funeral said throughout her life, Jeanette exemplified kindness, caring, generosity, organization, loyalty, intelligence, wit, strength, resilience and an unwavering fighting spirit.
Jeanette fought courageously until the end, and she will forever be loved and cherished as Jeanette, Netty, Mum, and Nan.