SYMONS – Margaret Dorothy (Mardi) (née Chisholm)

Thoughts are with you all. Your mum was a knowledgeable, lovely lady. Karen Flowers

mardi it was a pleasure to have known you, I hope you are sitting in gods garden with your husband and a good cup of tea.

My heart goes out to you all. This is a difficult time, but with added issues it willl be strange, at this time. I have a lot of fond memories of your Mum over many years. She was a wonderful lady, that taught me a lot throughout the years. I remember the farm at Callignee and then Traralgon South. Her work with CWA. I talked with her often, after she moved to Margery Cole. It is such a same, that she was not able to have everyone share in the celebration of her life. I will always hold beautiful memories of her, your father and you also. Condolences and love to you Gordan, Andrew, Greg and families. Xx Raelene.

Many fond memories of Mardi and Ray at Callignee in the years 1948-68. My brother Roger and I were teenagers and The Symons boys were smaller. I thought of Mardi the day she passed away.Amazing!

Our thoughts are with you on the loss of your Mother. We have many loving memories of Mardi. Jim, Mary, John and Tony Reid.

Dear Greg, Andrew, Gordon & your partners & families. No words can express the great sadness & loss to the world of dear Mardi. Without her drive, energy, spirit, organisation & competence…how the heck do we follow her extraordinary values. She simplified everything…nothing was too big a deal not to overcome. She took everything in her big stride. She loved with her amazing heart & soul, cared for & welcomed many…human, animal or birds..& always kept that big kettle going for visitors. I owe Mardi & Ray & you lads for some of the best years & memories of my life. Hope to see you for some real hugs & to share fond memories in the NOT Distancing Future. With great sadness but lots of love, Shez xox

Members of The Traralgon Horticultural Garden Club are saddened by the death of Mardi, a member for 42 years and a Life Member since 1996. She was secretary for 33 years, an accredited Royal Horticultural Society judge at flower shows and awarded the John Pascoe Fawkner Gold Medal in 2014 by RHSV for her services to horticulture. Her vibrant presence will be greatly missed.

Such a massive loss to our community.
Our heart goes out to all the family at this time. ❤💜💚
Mardi will be remembered fondly by so many people who’s heart and minds she has influenced. She shared, she loved, she contributed so many things with so many people, including me amd my family.
You will me missed Mardi.
Love Fleur, Stuart, Jesse and Brody Stevenson xoxo

Deepest condolences to Gordon, Yvonne, Andrew, Janine, Greg, Helen & families.
Thanks for all the wonderful times & memories Mardi of you coaching me in Juniors & then as my playing partner in Senior Tennis.
David, Sharon Reid & family, ❤️

Deepest sympathy to the family, Mardi was a wonderful person and I had the privilege of playing Badminton with her at Traralgon South. CATS. Love to you all.

Mardi was the first to welcome us to Callignee 20 years ago,via the Callignee CWA.She has always led by example in her work to improve the lives of all in our community,through her support for community,social and sporting groups.So kind and welcoming with such a strong sense of duty and obligation to serve.A true matriarch.
Rest in peace and thank you for your life’s work
Mardis pride and love for her family always shone through when she spike of her children and grandchildren.

Such sad news. Our condolences to all her family. Mardi was such a big part of the Callignee and Traralgon South community and both Mardi and Ray gave so much to all of us. RIP Mardi.
Kerri, Darren and all the Savage family.

Dear Mardi,

I feel so regretful that I missed the opportunities to meet with you. Lachlan and I even spent a lot time disscussing what should I call you when I met you. It’s heartbreaking to hear you leaving.

Lachlan always talked about you to me. He said you were a tough fighter. Always fought for your life against the difficulties. And he also told me that you had so much passion and happinese in your life. I kept looking forward to seeing you and talk to you, next time… next time…

Even though you hadn’t seen me, you were like my granny already.
I know, you are in a much better place now, looking down on your loving family and friends. I will pray for you that you enjoy your peaceful and healthy life up there. The whole family and the people who love you will remember you forever, Mardi.

Love,
Shuwen Tang

Arnold Bolton and wife Marguerita moved into the Traralgon district in 1960. Arnold deliberately set out to learn from the best, the icons of the area. Dad formed lifelong friendships with the Dunbar, Gilmour and Symons families. These iconic families became my adopted uncles and aunts. Over many years I would travel with Dad for evening supper with these beautiful souls. Mardi and Ray’s home up at Callignee was always warm and welcoming even on the harshest of nights. As I grew up there were dances where Ray would glide me around on his feet. Mardi was an amazing cook and heart as big as Australia. Her big ol kitchen table, cuppa and a chat. In recent years Mardi has slowed up a little but her warmth and acceptance of all people and passion for Gippsland were tireless. She is at peace, risen with Christ. The legacy of a life well lived.

Such a wonderful woman. Even as a kid I knew how important you were to that community. My thoughts are with the Symons family at this time.

Our deapest sympathy to Greg, Helen and the rest of the family.

To Greg, Gordon ,Andrew and families my thoughts are with you on the passing of Mardi.
Mardis ability to make a difference with her can do attitude has been far reaching and touched many of us .My life has been enriched from having her as such a wonderful role model while I was growing up . She will be sadly missed by so many .

I have Fond memories of Mrs Symons as a teacher at Liddiard road primary school, & an excursion out to her farm.
My sincere condole to the Symons family.❤️

Fond memories of a gracious hard working community member. Condolences to the family.

Such a beautiful and loving lady that will be missed. Sending love, strength and hugs to the family during this sad time xx

Such a loss for the community of Traralgon south and callignee. Sincerest condolences to the Symons family. You cant remember Traralgon south without remembering Mardi and Ray. Such generous people.

A wonderful Lady, she taught me grade 1 at Primary School ,and later years we seen each other at the Sale Show when she was judging, thoughts are with you all at the sad loss of Mardi, wonderful memories of beautiful lady,❤

She was such a part of my life when I stayed at the farm, learning how to milk and herd cows.
Skimming the cream off the vat and putting it on scones for the workers.
Caught up with her the last few times I visited dad. She was next door.
Thinking of all of you Andrew Gordon and especially Greg..
Been a million years but I remember those times so fondly
Love Rob

Warm, kind and generous to all – we too will miss Mardi greatly.

Our thoughts and deep sympathy are with all generations of the family.

Such a wonderful lady who contributed hugely to many many families and the Traralgon South community. Mardi taught my girls in primary school and we were lucky enough to spend time with her at the Traralgon South tennis club. I also spent many years helping on the family property. Our sincerest condolences to the family. She will always be fondly remembered by our family. Kindest Regards, Joe & Maureen (dec) Habets, Annie & Michelle Habets 🌻

The Traralgon South Tennis Club is saddened by the loss of our Life Member Mardi Symons. She was a wonderful and significant supporter of our local tennis community and has contributed greatly to its success both at club level and its sporting achievements.

Not only did Mardi play many successful seasons with the club, but she was also involved in its administration for 40 years, including many as Secretary. As well as her life membership, her work was recognised in 2008 when the Traralgon South tennis courts were named in her honour to acknowledge the significant role she had played, and ensures we will never forget this remarkable lady, her tireless work and the many generations of tennis players that have all been touched by Mardi’s wonderful contribution to our tennis community.

Our deepest sympathy to Gordon and Yvonne, Andrew and Janine, and Greg and Helen, as well as all of her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

I dreamt of Aunty Mardi and Rabbit Stew at Inverness just two weekends ago.
Fond memories.
What great lady who will be sadly missed.
Thoughts are with you cousins.
Love Phil.

A wonderful lady and family. Ray was a real gentleman. Remembered and honoured

Sincere sympathy to the Family. Mardi who l have known for many years, just a wonderful person.

A cousin without peer. She was my mother’s bridesmaid and I was her flower girl. Our family and the Symons’s family totally intertwined. My family and my brothers and their families will all miss her presence. To hear that her brother Malcolm passed today just adds to the sorrow. Another funeral we are unable to attend. These days will pass and we will all be together again.

Dear Mardi … where do I start. I have admired your drive and energy and involvement with life and all it offers since I was a young girl.

The Crawford, Miles and Symons families did so very much together including the youth group at Traralgon South.

Our many many years of tennis – firstly at Traralgon South where you with my Mum Glynda and Betty Miles ran the juniors, and we were on the committee together in my teens; and then with Loy Yang Tennis Assoc – again we were on the committee and I (along with a great group of parents) ran the juniors now, and you were STILL involved with junior tennis. As well as still playing at TS.

We also played badminton against each other. I remember one night in the old Traralgon Sth hall chatting at supper in the cosy old kitchen with the fireplace … about the combined ages of our two teams…Yours was, I think, 125 years older than our young Flynn team!!
The Traralgon Agricultural Show was another big involvement I had with you.

As many others have said, you and your most wonderful husband Ray (my ‘Ray’ of sunshine as he Always made me feel special every time I spoke with him), were a very loving and generous couple to so many people and your community.

Very sad I couldn’t attend your service and pay my respects. With sincere condolences to Gordon, Andrew and Greg and their families. But I’m sure the family have nothing but happy memories to look back on with fondness.

A generous lady who gave freely her time, talents and vegetable lasagne. In Gods care

I met Mardi in 1976 when she filled in for a Liddiard RdPrep teacher taking leave and admired the way she capably settled in to the position and into the children’s hearts. Years later, she was very happy for me to bring a group of secondary applied learners to do some land-care work on the Symons farm. What a generously friendly person. My sincere condolences to her family.

Remembering Mardi when she filled in a position at Liddiard Rd PS in 1976 and later when she welcomed secondary applied learners to do some Landcare work on the Symons property. A warm, talented and generous friend to all. Sincere condolences to her family.