Gillian Margaret Sofatzis

Gillian Margaret Sofatzis was born on Tuesday 11 January 1955 to William and Rita Iris Braidwood (nee Barlow), in Heywood Lancashire, England. She is the loving sister of Philip, Stephen, Angela, Michael, Geraldine, Jennifer, Rosemary and Caroline. She was baptised on 23 January 1955 by Father Devlin at St Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, in Heywood, their family’s parish. Her godmother was Margaret Henry. She attended St Joseph’s R.C. Primary School. From an early age she showed devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, crowning her statue at the parish as May Queen, 1962. On 19 April 1964, she was confirmed and chose as her confirmation name St Thérèse of the Child Jesus, and especially invoked her intercession during her life. She attended high school at Bury Convent Grammar School where she completed her “O” Levels and then her “A” Levels in Chemistry, Biology and Physics. Gillian had many friends and joined the St John Ambulance. Her spirit of adventure led to her completing her Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award. She enjoyed dancing, keeping up with current affairs, and had lessons in the art of public speaking of verse and prose. In 1976, she completed a Bachelor of Science with Joint Honours in Biochemistry and Chemistry from the University of Salford, and a Post Graduate Certificate in Education and a Catholic Teacher’s Certificate at Christ’s College of Education, Liverpool (1977). A Teaching English as a Foreign Language Certificate from the Anglo School, London, followed. These prepared her for a teaching career in science and religion. During 1977 to 1978, she travelled to Canada where she worked at Prince George College, teaching science to the local students, some of which were indigenous. She moved back to the U.K. between 1978 and 1979 and was a research assistant in organic chemistry at the University of Bath, where she undertook studies into cancer. She met her future husband, Bill, in 1980, on a working holiday to Australia with her sisters Angela and Jennifer. Whilst in Australia, she taught science at Waverly College, Sydney. She corresponded with Bill for three years via hand-written letters while teaching back in the U.K. at Redruth School, Cornwall. On 8 July 1984, she married Bill Sofatzis, at All Saints’ Church, Belmore. She became the loving mother of eight children: Elizabeth, Harry, Thomas, Richard, Lucy, David, Peter & baby Mary. From 1984 to 1986, she taught senior chemistry, science and religion at Kincoppal, Rose Bay, and then took up the role of full time mother for approximately the next fifteen years. Until 1997, the Sofatzis family lived in Earlwood, Sydney, near Bill’s parents, whom they visited frequently. After this time, they moved into a larger house in Hurstville, where Gillian has resided until the present. Gillian was greatly interested and involved in her children’s schooling at All Saints’ Grammar School and supported her children in their endeavours at university and beyond. She was a devout Catholic and devoted parishioner of Our Lady of Lourdes, Earlwood and then St Bernadette’s, Clemton Park, where she made many lifelong friends and ensured her children received the sacraments of Baptism, Confession, Holy Eucharist and Confirmation. For the last twenty-five years, she attended and later assisted as parent helper at the Holy Family Religion School in Lewisham, where her children were able to receive religious formation in the Catholic faith. In more recent times, she has been known for her tireless efforts fundraising for Maternal Heart of Mary Parish, Lewisham for which she recently received the Dempsey Medal for outstanding service in the Archdiocese of Sydney. She is known for her glorious smile and infectious laughter. Her qualities of generosity, strength, commitment and compassion helped many individuals and families. She contributed to many ecclesiastical groups, associations & charities over the years. She often attended Monthly Recollections conducted by a priest of Opus Dei, of which she was a Cooperator. She also was highly involved in associations such as The Australian Family Association and Right to Life. Her many lifelong friends are a testament to her warm, bubbly personality, as are the memories of her sing-a-longs, Christmas concerts and gatherings with family and friends. In 2004, she graduated from the University of Newcastle, Australia with a Masters of Special Education (Sensory Impairment). She worked until the present as an itinerant support teacher for students with partial hearing loss with the NSW Department of Education. Her colleagues and students attest to her encouraging, motivating and supportive spirit. Tragically, she was diagnosed with metastatic melanoma in August 2017. Unfortunately, before she could receive treatment, she suffered a stroke on Sunday 10 September, and entered hospital for the last time. She went to God the following Sunday. She was blessed to receive confession, communion and anointing of the sick the day before her stroke and received the apostolic blessing in her final days in hospital. We are grateful to the many friends, past and present, who visited her during this time to show their love. Gillian passed away peacefully at St George Hospital, Kogarah, surrounded by her devoted family. We extend our sincerest gratitude to all those who prayed for, loved and supported Gillian and her family. She was a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, and a dear friend to many, with a generous and cheerful heart. We love her dearly and she will be forever in our hearts and minds. We also ask her to pray for us from above that we may reach heaven. She will be laid to rest with her youngest baby daughter, Mary, at St Francis of Assisi Garden, Courtenay Ave, Rookwood Cemetery, Grave 14. Please pray for the repose of her soul. Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May her soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen. Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus, pray for her.