Marlies Gertrud Wilma Halkiewicz

Marlies Gertrud Wilma Halkiewicz was born in Bad Nenndorf, Germany on the 20th of April 1932. Marlies migrated to Australia in 1958 to help her eldest sister Inge with her growing family in Tasmania. It is here in Tasmania that she met a handsome polish gentleman, Marian Halkiewicz. Marlies and Marian married in Hobart in 1960 and together they travelled throughout Australia. Finally settling in Canberra and having their first child Yvette in 1962 on the 19th of June, and their second child Jacqueline 'Jackie' on the 20th of September 1964. The Halkiewicz family spent every free moment in nature. Endless weekends with friends at their holiday house near Narrawalle beach, bushwalking or having picnics at the cotter. She always kept her passion of knitting and sewing alive by creating a vast collection of matching outfits for Yvette and Jackie. Her and Mairan were lucky enough to travel to Europe a couple of times to visit their beloved relatives. Towards the later years of her life she was determined to remain independent in the family home. After the passing of her husband Marian in 2010, she managed for a while at home with the help of Northside community services and the gracious assistance of the Goodwin community care services, but without her daughter Yvette caring for her for the past 4 years, her wishes may not have been able to come true. Marlies passed away on the 21st of September 2018 at Calvary Bruce public hospital in Canberra. She was comfortable and surrounded by family. Marlies was a quiet woman who had the power to make anyone in her presence comfortable. She gave everything for her children Yvette and Jackie, and her granddaughters Shani and Molly. Those who were lucky enough to know her can tell you that she was a selfless, hospitable person who would always put family first.