Just returned from Adelaide, where I attended the funeral of my darling brother Jim. The funeral was fit for a king and in my eyes he was the king of brothers.
The church was full to the brim with people from all walks of life. Family and friends from all over Australia. Friends from his Personal and Business dealings spoke of Jim with very high regard, but one thing they all had in common was that he always handled himself with the highest of dignity and his relationship with all was the same. His philosophy in life was that the higher a bamboo grows the lower they must bend, and he would never ask someone to do something that he himself could not do, and if he asked someone to do something better he always had to be able to do it better. But the fun side of Jim Parkinson was one of Red wine and music. And this was another side of Jim that was mentioned with high regard.
Jim was Manager for Ansett in South Australia . He was transferred to Adelaide in 1989 and was highly regarded by many in the aviation industry. He had dealing with the passengers to politicians and the media and knew how to handle the situations that were dealt him at all times. He left Ansett in 1995 and became a consultant...He then had dealings with the SA Tourisism commission and the Racing Fraternity.
The pictures above were from the front and rear cover of the order of service. It was like a full blown production but definately one suited to Jim.
His wife stood in front of the packed congregation and spoke of her love for my brother and how eventhough their marriage was only 12 years long it was filled with love and music . She stated how blessed she was and that it was a privelidge to say she was married to Jim. She spoke of his illness and how hard the last two years were, but how she was honoured to have nursed him, especially in the last 8 weeks of his life.
Jim's ex wife Val, was in attendance and I am sure it must have been hard for her, but she also was there out of her love and the 27 years of marriage that she had with Jim. She was so proud also to have spent 27 years with Jim. Although their marriage didn't work out it still is part of the lives of both of them and that time held many memories that were shared also.
Jim and Val had two daughters, Donna and Joanne. They both were there and I believe were so very proud of their father. They both mentioned the jigsaw sandwiches that Jim created when they were younger. (He cut out messages in their sandwiches like a jigwaw puzzle, this today is continued with their children). Jim, Val and the girls travelled the world and they were all reminiscing of their times away. and the fun they all enjoyed.
Donna had three children Max, Tom and Bethany and Joanne has two children Bella and Will.
Janet has two children from her previous marriage (Janet's 1st husband and two of their 4 children were killed in a tragic aeroplane accident in Broken Hill. The accident happened on the eighth birthday of their youngest daughter Sophie) Marie and Jean-Paul were also in attendance, they told of their love for Jim and that although he never tried to take the place of their father, he came in very close with his wisdom and love and guidance. Marie has a son Sebastion and is expecting another in July and Jean Paul has two daughter Harper and Millar and a son Cuba.
Jim was known as Grandpa Jim to all his grandchildren of which there were 9. He loved each and every one of them and gained much loved and delight in return from them each.
After the funeral we returned to the family home and were treated to such a spread of food and of course wine and champagne.(It wouldn't be a Parkinson get to gether without the wine and champagne). Jim was definately there in spirit. The love that was shared along with the tears and loving reminiscing of a wonderful man proved that he was there with us. I can just imagine him drinking red wine with my dad (dad drinking scotch) and saying gee was I that good a person.
I was greeted by many in attendance as "definately Jim Parkinson's sister" They said I have his eyes, his cheeks and most of all his smile. I feel quite priveledged to be told this.
Sorry this is such a long blogg, but I thought you all would be interested to hear about the Celebration of Jim's Life.
Jim's death will not be in vain if everyone out there remembers that CANCER can strike without any notice, so please each and every one of you, please be aware. Awareness is the answer to CANCER. Remember AWARENESS.
Finally, I would like to THANK everyone who has sent e-mails, cards, messages on my blogg, or made a point of personally spoken to me or sent messages via Jodie, Melinda and Mark and of Course Bill.
The love, fun and wisdom of Jim Parkinson will remain in this world, and I am proud to have had Jim Parkinson as my brother, and the world is a better place to have had Jim Parkinson in it.
Thanks for listening
but most of all
Keep smiling and Healthy.
Love to all and thankyou.
Judy. xxxxxxxxxx
The cake is fianally finished.I finished it this morning and it is now at the reception centre.
