Eulogy for Joan Davies, by Lesley Morgan Blythe.

Only 2 months ago, I was privileged to be a witness to Joan’s and David’s marriage. To be in the position of delivering Joan’s eulogy today evokes all sorts of emotions. It is at once humbling and yet uplifting, in the strangest sense. It is a singular honour to be asked on behalf of her many friends to pay tribute to a dear person, whom I’m sure would wish us to celebrate her life rather than to grieve for her loss.

While she was still enjoying relatively good health she asked me to fulfill this role, come the event. The event has arrived, but despite fore-warning, I don’t know that I am prepared. To capture the essence of such a vibrant, mercurial, fascinating person in a few minutes is an impossible task, as it is to cover all facets of her life and touching on those who helped make that life.

For everyone present, memories of Joan will differ. David and other family members will have known their own Joan, as will each friend and former work colleague, and their memories will all reflect differing facets of an intriguing personality whom we all knew and loved.

Perhaps 12 to 14 months ago, during a conversation that typified so many aspects of her diverse personality, ranging from her beloved "Marmie's" health problems as well as her own, to family concerns, to black and white cat fancy book-keeping and inevitably to her own cats, both past and present…. Joan asked me if I would write and deliver her eulogy, should she die. Of course I agreed, never imagining it might be so soon. As instructed, I started writing, and the bulk of what I am sharing with you today has Joan’s seal of approval. We discussed it many months ago. It was comfortable to think that Joan had defied the odds for so long - why would that change? She was indomitable. If only today had been far, far into the future.

As her cat judging tutor, she referred to me as “Mother Hen”. But in terms of her and hers, that could well have been her own title. Her dedication to her mother and sisters, Mary, Minnie, Peggy and Shirley was something of which we were all aware. On so many occasions I recall Joan being the trouble-shooter … the sister/daughter-protector, looking after the flock. She had the strongest sense of family and so many times was Joan of Arc, as well as Joan Davies. To the end, she was tilting at windmills and defending those who were her own.

A perfectionist in everything, anything Joan tackled, she did well. There will be those present who were workmates and I understand that as an employee of C.H. Heath & Co, she was manager in all but name. I can readily imagine her organising everyone, from the top of the pyramid down!

However, I was instructed by Joan to speak not only as a friend but primarily as representative of the cat fancy, her abiding passion, to which she dedicated so much of her time, her formidable intelligence, her loyalty and her heart.

Joan was an institution in the cat world. We met well over 20 years ago through that common interest. Her own cats were her children but she had a wonderful affinity with any cat – from the humblest moggy to the most refined pedigreed Best in Show winner. She prided herself on being "The mother of all cats" and had a unique rapport with them.

Nothing delighted her more than to communicate with these creatures which meant so much to her.... in fact, creatures which if you know them well, share many of Joan's own characteristics. Style, elegance, intelligence, individualism... no wonder she felt she was indeed the mother of all cats.

Various here today met Joan through the cat fancy; some a long time ago and others more recently, but in each case, the common interest paved the way to enduring friendship which we all valued. We admired her grit and determination, her generosity and her thoughtfulness (she never forgot a birthday!) and even those cat fanciers who didn't really know "Our Joan" all respected that beautifully dressed judge who handled their cats with such empathy and obvious delight. She had the capacity to make even the plainest cat look special - because to her, it was.

To have gained her judges' licence meant the world to Joan. Of course, she had worked within the cat fancy in many capacities - she was first a super-efficient Secretary of the Tasmanian Cat Club, a frighteningly efficient Treasurer at both club and state governing body level and a show secretary par excellence over the years, but that judges' badge allowed her to indulge in her real vocation.

Of course, the legendary and quite stunning show cats she exhibited over the years were her pride and joy, but at home, all cats were equal, and some of us would recall two, particularly, which she bought from interstate breeders which were obviously not "up to scratch" as show cats. "Buttons" was the most recent and I remember when he arrived from Brisbane, Joan phoning to tell me that even though he was not up to standard, he was not being returned but staying with her because she doubted anyone else would want him. She loved him no less for the fact he would never be a Zoli or a Spider. She also loved the social side of cats and a Huonville Show cat section barbecue simply wouldn’t have happened without Our Joan presiding!

So many of us here today will have shared different highs and lows with Joan over the years and none more so than David - whom those of us who are privileged to know, love and respect - not only for the gentleman he is, but for the anchor he has been to Joan for so very, very long.

Some of us were a part of Joan’s and David’s wedding, on August 7th. What an event that was! The bride was utterly radiant, the groom so gentle and loving in his typically understated way. While the inevitable could only happen, it was possible to believe in miracles – just for a while.

The miracle lasted for a short time; though longer, perhaps, than we’d all dare hope, some time earlier. Joan was able to come home from St John’s, which had for some months been her ambition. She was able to be in familiar surroundings and David, of course, was with her. He was always there.

To David and family, on behalf of all present and of those unable to be here today, I offer most heartfelt condolences, but we must also celebrate the spirit, the tenacity, the character, the heart and the sheer, wonderful vibrant essence of Joan Saunders. I know she will forever be with all of those whose lives she touched. And of those, there are many.