Vale
Joelle Marshall (1944 - 2011)
(ASNSW The Avicultural Review - March/April 2011)
(Printable Version - PDF file - Free Adobe Reader download)
Words by Keith Gallagher
17 November 1944 - 13 January 2011.
Joelle recently succumbed to a long illness after bravely fighting for several years. Born in Sydney where she lived until 1983, Joelle moved to acreage near Huskisson on the South Coast with Ray Marshall. Ray was working in Sydney at the time and would spend each weekday looking after his sick mother in Sydney—while Joelle looked after the property—and then travel each weekend to be with Joelle.
Since at least the 1970s Joelle was an avid aviculturist who was involved in many bird societies holding committee positions such as Membership Secretary and Co-editor (with Dr Michael Cannon) for the Avicultural Society of New South Wales, President of the Shoalhaven Aviculture Society for three terms (6 years), and Patron of the same club for too many years to count.
Joelle and Ray rarely said 'no' to a club or group of people wanting to come on an aviary visit. Bird Societies from all over Australia paid visits which became famous not only because of the birds or the size of the complex, but also because of the quality of the food supplied. No one every went away unsatisifed!
Joelle loved bird sales and club meetings and always enjoyed chatting about the bird scene. Many, incluing myself, will remember her practical jokes and sense of humour.
Joelle's granddaughter Amanda and her husband lived with her and Ray for over four years and helped them on the property with all the animals.
Joelle dearly wanted to survive until after the birth of her first great granddaugher Maddison, born on 4 August 2010 and she did, defying the odds enormously.
Joelle was a wonderful friend who was loved by so many and will be dearly missed. RIP