BENNETT (LOWMOW), Hilda Florence

Born and raised in Bundaberg and formerly of Brisbane, Bondi, Matraville, Minyama, Mooloolah and Caloundra (Centaur).

Gran, we miss you on your 96th birthday but know you have found the peace that long eluded you later in life. Now reunited with your beloved mother Alice and daughter Karen, you are one of the brightest stars in Heaven too!

With love from Lee, Janet, Teresa, Cristina, Joe, Jimmy and Justin

Hilda Florence Lowmow was born at the Lady Chelmsford Hospital, Bundaberg on 3 November 1927, the sixth child and second daughter of Charlie Low Mow and Alice Chan Yan. She was sister to Victor Charles, Albert George, Frederick Thomas, Stanley Noel, Lorna May and Betty Jean.

As a girl, Hilda grew up on a market garden at Thabeban, near Bundaberg before her family moved into town. Hilda's growing up years in Bundaberg were not easy. During WW2, she moved to Brisbane and some of her happiest memories were of carefree, teenage years there. In Brisbane, she waitressed in Chinese cafes and restaurants and at Christie's cafe in Queen Street.

At one point, she could have married an American sailor, but chose not to. Instead, in 1949, Hilda married an Australian merchant sailor, Archibald Harry Bennett in Sydney. Hilda and Arch were married for 63 years, during which time they experienced both the highs and lows of married life.

For Hilda, some of her fondest memories of married life were of the early days, when they lived in a shed on their block of land at 8 Blaxland Street Matraville whilst saving to build their home.

Hilda became a mother of three: Karen, Gregory and Deborah. Her eldest daughter Karen was born with Down Syndrome. Hilda was devoted to Karen, who was such a source of love and joy over the years.

In later life, Hilda lived on the Sunshine Coast, first at Minyama, then Mooloolah. She was widowed in 2012. Sadly, the last years of her life were afflicted by the anguish and pain of chronic illness, immobility and the onset of dementia.

Hilda passed away at the Centaur nursing home in Caloundra on Saturday 12 August 2023. She was privately cremated.

Dear Gran - I will always remember you for the unconditional love you gave me. I remember you saying that on the first Christmas after I was born, you put me under the tree because I was the best present you had received that year! The long period of separation after my parents' divorce was painful. I know you used to cry every time you saw that photograph of me as a 4 year-old. I will always be grateful that we were able to be reunited later on. I am glad my love and that of Janet and the kids brightened up your final years. I will always cherish your love and will keep the flame of your spirit alive in my heart for the rest of my days.

With a big hug and kiss from your grandson, Lee.