Latest news with #requiem
News.com.au
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Australian socialite Eileen 'Red' Bond is farewelled during catholic requiem
Iconic Australian socialite Eileen 'Red' Bond has been remembered as 'wonderful, exuberant, loyal' mother and friend during a catholic requiem mass held in WA. The former wife of entrepreneur Alan Bond was celebrated on Monday morning in an 80-minute ceremony held at Fremantle's St Patrick's Basilica, her childhood church. Bond's casket, along with the church altar, was festooned with red roses and pink orchids, a dramatic and vibrant backdrop for the celebration of a similarly well-lived life. Bond's eldest son John, a West Australian businessman, said his devoutly catholic mother could be best summed up with a stream of 'F' words – faith, family, friends and fun. He spoke briefly of his father, the disgraced businessman Alan who built a property, brewing and media empire before it all came cashing down in the eighties while recalling the circumstances of his parent's introduction. Eileen Teresa Hughes had been all of 16 when she'd fallen for the motorbike-riding high school dropout at dancing lessons in Fremantle. Son John – and a wedding – Eileen's only marriage – would follow a year later in 1955. By age 21 Eileen had welcomed two more children, Craig and Susanne. Youngest child Jody (Fewster) would arrive years later after doctors informed Eileen she was unlikely to have any more children. Eileen's famously fiery temperament was referenced just once, by her son, when he recalled the unravelling of the Bond's four-decade-long marriage due to 'dad's behaviour'. That behaviour would spur Eileen to 'cut the legs off dad's suit pants and throw them out the window.' A keen swimmer, skier, horserider and dune-buggy driver during their marriage, life in the Bond household where Eileen was firmly at the tiller was a series of games, extraordinary parties and learning to party 'like the master', Eileen. 'The house was always open, the fun always on and the red wine and champagne flowing,' John Bond recalled. Not even school pick-up was permitted to be mundane with Eileen at the wheel of the family Bentley – and a miniature donkey in the back. During the Bond-backed 1983 triumphant America's Cup challenge and over four challenges, 'Red's' mothering extended as well to the yacht's crew. This was a woman who would win over America's snobbish yachting fraternity and be introduced to the sitting US president Ronald Reagan. So broad and diverse was Bond's circle of friends – 'exclusive was not a word (she) comprehended …' her eulogist offered – it would take three songs (Danny Boy, Take Me Home Country Roads, Somewhere Over the Rainbow) to screen a package of cherished family photographs to the St Patrick's congregation. In an attempt to explain the absence of a birth date on his mother's order of ceremonies booklet, Bond conceded Eileen's age had long been 'a closely guarded secret'. Even 'trusted staff were asked to leave the room' when his mother was required to give it. 'Red' would likely have cursed an online funeral register which gave it as June 4, 1937 – a date which made her 88 when she died on July 2 following a series of strokes. The faithful catholic never quite came to terms with a brother's vow of poverty after joining the seminary. She constantly attempted to fill brother Don's pockets with cash and hoped in vain to persuade him to pilfer a pair of 'good' shoes from their father's wardrobe. A second eulogist, a priest, recalled a woman who was an 'Australian icon' and 'like a red flame. Always radiant and warm, full of energy and passion to everyone around her, especially to her family and friends.' She was, he said: 'Humble, down to earth (with a) slightly larrikin nature who had a gift for getting along with anyone'. The priest reassured Eileen's surviving children, grandchildren and great-grand-children the family matriarch would now be ' … in heaven with God. Heaven help them.'
BreakingNews.ie
03-07-2025
- BreakingNews.ie
Requiem mass for Cork teen who suffered fatal fall to take place on Sunday
A requiem mass will take place on Sunday for a 16-year-old teenager who suffered fatal injuries following a fall near a lake on the Conor Pass in Co Kerry earlier this week. Darragh Byrne of Ballysally in Charleville, Co Cork, was visiting the area with his parents on Tuesday afternoon when he fell from a height at Pedlar's Lake close to Daingean Uí Chúis. He was an only child. Advertisement The student of CBS Charleville is survived by his parents James and Siobhan, his grandfather George Fehilly, grandmother Marie Byrne, his four uncles, three aunts, grand aunts, extended family and friends. Darragh will lie in repose at Hawe O'Keeffe Funeral Home, Bakers Road, Charleville on Saturday from 6.30pm to 8.30pm. His requiem mass will take place at noon on Sunday with a cremation service following at Shannon Crematorium at 3pm. The Byrne family would like to thank the doctors, paramedics, gardaí, Dingle and Killarney Mountain Rescue, Shannon Rescue 115 and all those who helped in so many ways. Meanwhile, management at CBC Charleville yesterday said that Darragh was a bright and uplifting presence in their school community. Advertisement 'A gentle, kind hearted and considerate young person who radiated warmth and positivity. Whether in the classroom, walking our corridors, or spending times with his friends, he left a meaningful and lasting impact. His generous nature, intelligence and talent inspired all who knew him. Darragh will be missed deeply by his friends, his classmates, and all the staff here at CBS Charleville. His absence leaves a space that cannot be filled, and we will remember him with great affection and sorrow.' It is understood the school opened yesterday to allow his classmates to gather and share memories of Darragh. A book of condolences was also opened onsite. Darragh was known for his love of rock climbing and the outdoors. A file will be prepared for the Coroner and an inquest will take place at a later date.
