Obituary
CS Lewis once wrote about a beautiful luminous woman in heaven, surrounded by children, who, while she was alive, had cared for the homeless and unloved but had never been recognised for her great love. In Perth, many people who knew Liz Hare would have felt his words applied equally to this remarkable woman.
By Mark Reidy
When Elizabeth Anne Hare passed away on July 2, 2008 many of Perth’s rejected and marginalised people lost a friend and advocate.
“Liz”, as she was known to those who crowded into the Sacred Heart Church in Highgate on July 9, spent the latter years of her life living out the Gospel message; reaching out to the homeless, the lonely, those caught up in the darkness of addictions and prostitution, those with mental illness, the imprisoned and the sick.
Julie Williams, Co-ordinator of the Shopfront, a Catholic outreach centre in which Liz gave much of her time as a Support Officer, told mourners that Liz found it hard to put into words the depth of her feelings for those who were suffering, but that her love was reflected by how she reached out to others.
“She found fulfilment at the Shopfront and was always ready with a big smile and warm welcome to everyone who came”, Ms Williams said.
“She made a difference in the world where she lived and she brought Christ’s love in action to many”. But she reminded those gathered that underlying her hands-on approach was a spiritual woman who often prayed for those to whom she reached out.
Liz’s cousin and lifelong friend, Loretta Hill, recounted a childhood of great energy and athleticism, describing a young girl who was always willing to take on a new challenge.
Born Elizabeth McMullin on June 26, 1945, Liz was the only child of parents who owned a hotel in Victoria Park, a place Ms Hill remembers as one of great joy and welcoming.
She also told mourners that Sacred Heart Parish had been central throughout Liz’s life. It was the place where she had attended school, received the Sacraments and had continued to contribute to in her latter years on the Parish Council, as a Special Minister and in organising the night roster for Perpetual Adoration.
Ms Hill described her schoolmate as the fastest runner, the best climber and the person everyone wanted on their team.
“When you had Liz on your side”, she said, “You always knew you had a head start”.
It was a theme that ran throughout Liz’s life. Whether she was volunteering at The Shopfront or Miriam’s House for single pregnant women, Linda’s House of Hope for those trying to escape the clutches of prostitution or with the running of a ministry house for people living on the street as a member of the Holy Spirit of Freedom Community, those who worked beside Liz were buoyed by her determination, reliability and commitment. As were those that she assisted.
Often referred to as “Mum” by those who came to know her, Liz was able to speak sternly to the most hardened of characters without ever losing their respect, because they knew that she always spoke with love.
Whether she was making a cup of coffee, trying to find accommodation or simply listening to those who had no one else to listen, people could recognise that Liz had a true understanding of their pain.
Her niece, Jane Laurie, described her as, “a real hero” who had reinvented herself after the tragic death of her beloved husband, Stuart.
Through her own pain Liz had turned closer to God and was, subsequently, able to recognise and empathise with the struggles of others.
Ms Laurie shared that after more than thirty years working at the Royal Perth Hospital, mostly as a Supervisor, Liz “threw herself into working with the Church”.
Liz’s compassion, sense of humour and love of a social get together meant that she would not only be greatly missed by family and friends but also by many of Perth’s most vulnerable and rejected. She had visited countless prison, hospitals and psychiatric institutions, reaching out with a hand of friendship to people who knew no other.
Through perseverance and resourcefulness Liz could find short and long term accommodation when others failed.
She would even take people into her own home when they couldn’t find a place to stay.
Even her beloved dog “Pippy”, who was often by her side, had been a beaten and neglected stray left to fend for herself. Pippy found a home in Liz’s heart, as did the countless people that she reached out to.
She indeed lived out the Gospel from Matthew chapter 25 that was read during the Requiem Mass of Thanksgiving, “I was a stranger and you made me welcome, naked and you clothed me, sick and you visited me, in prison and you came to see me”.
Despite Liz’s quiet and unassuming nature, she received the Centenary Medal from the Prime Minister in 2003 in recognition for her services to Australian society. It was an award that she did not seek, but one that she received with humble gratitude.
However, Liz did not expect accolades for her efforts, she simply recognised loneliness and emptiness in others and did what she could to fill that void.
Liz touched people from all walks of life, attested to by the presence in the Church of Archbishop Barry Hickey as well as a number of those that she had reached out to. Many nodded in agreement to the words Ms Williams believed would have greeted Liz after her departure from this world, “Welcome into My Kingdom, you good and faithful servant”.