Mother, Grandmother, Artist, Wife
A force of nature who fought for life until the very end, Verna Cunliffe slipped away peacefully in her home after a two-year battle with cancer on Wednesday, December 23rd at the age of 81.
Verna was born on July 8, 1940 in Quorn, SA to John and Dolly Mayes. She studied Visual Arts at Adelaide University, and in her lifetime created many works that now hang proudly in homes around the world. Verna was a highly skilled renovator who ran a business with her husband Max called Vermax Renovations in Adelaide, through which she refurbished The Albert Mill in Nairne, SA. Verna and Max ran the Albert Mill as a restaurant and art gallery for seven years and is still in business today. Max and Verna then owned and operated a successful restaurant in Adelaide called Schnitzels, which they happily ran for four years. She also had a passion for boating, which she combined with her renovation skills to completely rebuild Sam Sturdy, a 40 foot yacht, from the hull up with her husband Max.
Dearly loved by family and friends, Verna spent countless hours making dance costumes, proudly watching dance competitions and theatrical performances, helping to raise her grandchildren, painting and refurbishing family’s homes, and cooking epics meals which were loved by all.
She is preceded in death by her brother Reg and Allan, son Micheal and step son Stephen. She is survived by loving husband Max, daughter Carolyn, Sister Jean, step children Teresa, Tony and Elizabeth, grandchildren James, Daniel, Raquel and Julia, and son-in-law Ryan.
