Marilyn Leete

Marilyn Leete – known as 'Maz' by those who loved her.

Mum was a quiet person who went about her life of giving and helping others, touching many of you with her kindness and friendly manner.

Mum lived in the Prahran/Caulfield area as a child with her parents and grandparents. She loved growing up in a multi-generational home. For a time, their home was attached to the local milk bar that the family ran. She went to kinder in the area and found her first lifelong friend. The family moved to Keeron Street, Caulfield. At this time, her beloved younger sister Helen was born.

Mum left school at 16 and began work at a department store called "Tredways". In mum's belongings, we found a glowing letter of reference from her manager. She went on to become a medical receptionist at a family practice (also in Caulfield), where her duties included babysitting their children. And thus began Mum's love of kids and babies.

She met dad, Gary, whilst working as the receptionist and they married (in Caulfield) in December 1966. Mum and Dad lived in a flat where they had a pet cat, called Manfred that she used to walk outside on a lead.

Kylie was born in October 1967 and around this time mum and dad purchased a block of land a long way out in the eastern suburb of Vermont and built their first home. Mum was frequently seen at the block, checking on the build and walking the cat on the lead. Matthew arrived in February 1969, followed by Allison in December 1970. We settled into life in our new home where mum and dad became lifelong friends with their neighbours. There were many times as kids we can recall the adults having a dinner party where the kids were put to bed at the house that was hosting that night, only to be carried across the road to go home many hours later.

During this time, Mum returned to night school to earn her Higher School Certificate in 1974 so she could pursue her dream of becoming a nurse. She went back to tertiary studies as a mature-age student with 3 kids, while working and studying. We can all remember parts of our school holidays being packed up with colouring books and put at the back of the auditorium while mum attended lectures. She graduated as a Registered Nurse in 1977.

Mum also spent many years as a foster carer for newborn babies and dad recalls quite a few times coming home to find bottles of baby formula in the fridge that would alert him to the new arrival. Once again, mum quietly going about her life of giving and helping others.

Mum always loved shopping and many of you would have spent time catching up with her at one of her chosen spots. She also loved real estate shopping and so in 1979 Mum and Dad bought a home in Heathmont. They bought it before it was finished and, to save on costs, opted to do much of the interior finishing themselves. After work, they would take the 3 of us to the house and we would bed down in sleeping bags and they would work late into the night. This is also where they met another set of neighbours who also became lifelong friends.

Mum was fascinated by the medical field and says looking back she wished at times she had pursued medicine. We have all been fortunate to have mum help us out with medical questions over the years. She returned to University to study Orthoptics and gained work in 1983 as both a university examiner and at a clinic in Ringwood. Here she combined her nursing and orthoptics and spent many years enjoying being in the operating theatre helping to improve people's vision. Mum also met more lifelong friends here.

Around this time, mum went shopping again and found our next home in Park Orchards. Here was the place that became the hub of our family. So many family gatherings, parties and fun times over many years.

Mum also loved animals and throughout her life had many cats, dogs, the occasional rabbit, and a bird. She loved her very early morning walks with her dog/s and this was truly the most joyful part of her day.

Her next greatest joy was her 9 grandchildren. At the very young age of 50, mum also became "Nan". All 3 of us were grateful for her wisdom and help in raising and caring for our children. Trips to Nans to stay over or have a pool party and fish and chips were common. Matt and Marty returning to Australia from the UK enabled mum to have all 9 grandchildren nearby to join in the fun times at Park Orchards.

Mum retired around the late 1990s but that didn't last long. She became an immunising nurse and worked for Whitehorse council for many years looking after her favourite beings – babies!

Times changed and mum and dad moved to North Ringwood where she met and became great friends with some of her neighbours. Even after mum moved to Ringwood, she would still catch up with the ladies for dinner to celebrate birthdays.

Anyone who ever visited any of the homes Mum lived in, entered a house that was clean, neat and tidy. She was very house proud. She found sanctuary and great comfort being at home with her pets.

Mums illness was diagnosed in 2023. She did her diligent medical research and was often as informed as the doctors she was seeing for appointments and procedures. Mum wanted this time to be very private, and we know that for many of you, you were unaware of how unwell she was.

She was brave until the end. Mum never wanted a fuss or to cause pain to any of us.

She left us peacefully on 21st May.

We have provided this page and tributes section and welcome you to add any photos or recall times with mum. It is password protected. Contact Kylie, Matthew or Allison to gain access.