Life is changed not ended

Mary Walker Cahill

Born 6 July 1933 , entered eternal life 13 June 2025

Mary Walker Cahill, affectionately known as Molly, was born in Aberdeen Scotland on July 6, 1933, and she grew up during a time of great uncertainty. World War II broke out when she was just six years old. Despite the rationing and upheaval, she remembered that her father’s work in the fish trade meant the family was often lucky to have protein on the table. Early schooling involved writing in sand and on slates, and as she advanced, it became clear that she had a remarkable aptitude for maths and science. She transferred from a Catholic convent to the Girls’ High School to pursue senior science – an early indicator of her determination and capability. Three years later Molly was one of the first few women to graduate from Aberdeen University. She had excelled in maths, geology and science.

She married Dennis in 1954, and she set off with him to Africa, leaving behind a country afflicted by post war hardship for one with warmer climes, wonderful food and lots of new opportunities. Life in Africa was both a time of adventure and building a new family. Molly and Dennis lived off the grid, well before it became trendy. In various isolated farmhouses and villages, the children arrived in short succession between 1955 and 1961, Fiona, Helen, Robert, Sheila and Roy. In 1963, after a traumatic delivery, and loss of baby Irene, Molly and Dennis had sufficient time alone together to consider the future they wanted for their family against the backdrop of rising unrest in many African countries. So, they began to prepare their transition to Australia in1965. They chose Australia because they never heard of any political unrest there. Dennis gained a job with the Soil Conservation Authority, and it took a year, split between Melbourne and Bendigo, until he could secure a posting and housing in Heathcote.

Molly was a very resourceful provider for the family – everything was homemade, and she took great pride in whatever she put her hand to – jam, preserves, baking, cooking, sewing all the school uniforms and clothes, knitting and making time for each child. In 1966-67 she faced a major challenge to her health from breast cancer. Her love of her family and her sense of responsibility to five children between the age of 6 and 12 years fuelled her determination to get well and resume her high level of care and support.

Dennis was promoted to the role of Area Director for the Wimmera in 1968, and the family moved to Horsham. Here Molly fully recovered, and the children flourished. The weekends were filled with endless trips to explore the Grampians and taking delight in discovering the unique flora and fauna and geology of the park.

Molly decided to formalise her maths teaching credentials and enrol to do her Diploma of Education at Melbourne University. After she qualified, she taught maths at Greythorn High and then Emmaus College. Sometimes she was heard to say that some of those senior students knew more than their prayers! Whilst she was teaching, her children completed their education and commenced their career pathways. Fiona started as a Science and Biology teacher, Helen as a Drama and English teacher, Robert as an Agricultural Scientist, Sheila in Business and Haberdashery, Roy as an Engineer and Computer technology. Each went on to create further pathways. 

When Dennis retired from the Soil Conservation Authority in the early 1990s, he undertook a variety of consulting roles in many countries. Molly went with him to India for two years in 1980-1982, another two years in Malawi from where they also revisited Zimbabwe and then took a posting to Rome in 1994.

Over-lapping this period was a time when the next generation was arriving to extend the family with Cathy, Jessica, Gavin, Alison, Erin, Amy, Rachel, Patrick, Ellen, Josephine and Jackson. Molly welcomed each and every grandchild, with a knitted baby shawl to herald arrivals, and a dance on the Indian rug to Papa’s Scottish music. She created home-made outfits, and delighted the children with crafts, bread-making, and mincing the fruit for the Christmas puddings.

In her retirement years Molly turned her attention to serving the broader community which included creating a group of volunteers to cater for funerals in this very church. In return the grateful families gave donations, which were given to St Vincent’s. Their team of outreach volunteers supported refugees, and families sheltering from domestic violence. Dennis joined her in these efforts, a partnership of leadership and generosity which characterised their approach to life.

In pursuit of leisure and community Molly and Dennis took up lawn bowls with a passion. Bowls had been her father’s favourite pastime, and she eventually trained up as a high-level umpire. With her underlying competitive streak and determination, her bowls career flourished claiming the national female bowls title (for Malawi) and then later seizing the Melbourne pennant teams championship.

Molly remained sharp and thoughtful well into her later life. She took her last breath on June 13th, only 23 days shy of her 92nd birthday.

She was smart, but humble, hard-working and determined, and loved to win at sport and word games. She was never known to argue or lose her temper with anyone, and her decisions were well considered. She had a joyful approach to life and always loved the fun. Molly felt loved and cherished in her marriage which is a testament to the special bond she and Dennis had together, and the strong loving inclusion and respectful bonds they built and nurtured with their family.

Across our family, we recognise that to have had such a wonderful, loving and resourceful wife, mother, mother-in-law, grand-mother and great grand-mother is an experience of great fortune. We have been truly blessed and privileged in this.

Read at Molly’s funeral on Tuesday, 24 June 2025 at Our Holy Redeemer Church, Surrey Hills.