The family and friends of local resident, Cecily Prentice, have paid tribute to her life with a thoughtful reflection on her achievements, dedication to the local community and impact on those closest to her.
Cecily was laid to rest at Holy Apostles’ Anglican Church, Woy Woy, on March 31 after recently passing away, aged 94.
Her family travelled from Queensland and areas of New South Wales to attend the service, with those unable to attend watching a live stream of the funeral.
She was farewelled by a lone bagpiper who played Amazing Grace.
In the early 1950s, Cecily and her husband Alan bought land in Lone Pine Ave, Umina, and spent many weekends travelling up from Sydney, building themselves a small holiday home, before deciding to move permanently to Umina in 1957.
At the time they had one daughter, Lynda, and in 1958, a second daughter, Kathleen, was born.
Alan worked in the local building industry and Cecily gave up her bookkeeping job to become a stay-at-home mum.
Cecily’s daughter, Lynda Smith, said her mother was involved in many local community groups.
“She involved herself in [our] school, Umina Public, joining the Mother’s Club and helping run the tuck shop,” Lynda said.
“She also involved herself in local sporting groups, such as table tennis, tennis, fishing and physical culture.
“When [I] joined the Brownies, Cecily became a member of the Local Association and helped raise funds for a new Guide Hall.
“Alan was a member of Woy Woy Lions Club from 1960 and Cecily supported him as a Lions’ lady, raising funds for various charities.
“From 1959, Cecily was also an active member of Woy Woy’s Order of the Eastern Star Chapter, holding many office positions over her 50-plus years of involvement. This organisation also raised funds for charity.”
The family spent six years living in Papua New Guinea from 1966 to 1972, and upon their return, purchased Umina Hardware in West St.
After the shop was sold in 1986, they established A&C Handyman Services, providing holiday house repairs to local Real Estate Agencies.
In 1979, Cecily became a Justice of the Peace, and in 2016 she was awarded Life Membership for her extensive services to the organisation.
In 1982, Cecily and Alan joined the Central Coast Historic Car Club (CCHCC) with Cecily making herself available for many positions in the Club, eventually awarded Life Membership in 2003.
After Alan’s death in 1992, Cecily gave more of her time to other interests, including the Anglican Church, the Liberal Party, Gosford Senior Citizen’s Club and Woy Woy Meals on Wheels.
“Her dedication to the welfare of the housebound of the Peninsula saw her receiving another Life Membership, this time from Meals on Wheels in 2008,” Lynda said.
“Over the years Cecily was nominated for many other awards, such as Senior Citizen of the Year, and Businesswoman of the Year.
“She was awarded an Australia Day Community Service Award in 1995, an Australian Centenary Medal in 2003 and a Premier’s Award for Community Service in 2006.
“Aside from her community work, Cecily enjoyed cake decorating and baking, oil painting, knitting and crochet, excelling in all of these pastimes.
“Sadly, her community work and other activities were curtailed when she developed macular degeneration. It was a very sad day when she handed in her driver’s licence.”
Cecily was awarded an Order of Australia Medal in 2013 for her services to the community.
Some locals may know Cecily for her fulfilment of a life-long dream to ride a trike, as reported on the front page of PP039.
“She loved every minute of it,” Lynda said.
“The family would also like to express their gratitude for the excellent care Cecily received at BlueWave Living.”
Cecily leaves behind two daughters, six grandchildren, seventeen great grandchildren, seven nieces and nephews and many, many good friends.
“She shall be greatly missed by all who knew her,” Lynda said.
“The world has lost a legend. Rest in peace.”
Maisy Rae