Mary-Rose Attard remembered as ‘kind, beautiful’ woman after Point Lonsdale tragedy
A respected nurse and long-time health care professional is being remembered as a “beautiful lady” after a gut-wrenching tragedy near Point Lonsdale.
Geelong
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A former nurse and long-time health care professional is being remembered as a kind and generous woman after she drowned in a gut-wrenching tragedy near Point Lonsdale.
Mary-Rose Attard, 62, was found dead in ocean waters on May 1 after she was reported missing from her Ocean Grove home.
The adored mother-of-four was a pillar of the Geelong, Bellarine and suburban communities she spent time in as tributes poured in for a “wonderful” and “beautiful lady”.
Ms Attard was a maternal and child health nurse for the Department of Health working at a number of hospitals in Melbourne, including St Vincent’s and Mercy.
She spent seven years with Bellarine Community Health and was also part of the family services team at the City of Greater Geelong.
Her sudden passing has shocked and saddened many former colleagues and friends.
BCH executive director of child, youth and families, Liz Womersley, said the loss of a “valued” and “respected” member had saddened all.
“She was a great support to many new parents in her role as a maternal child health nurse, providing reassuring advice and care for new families in the local community,” she said.
“Our sincerest condolences go to Mary-Rose’s family and friends at this sad time.”
Former MCH colleague, Linda William, described Ms Attard as a caring person with a “beautiful smile” and “generous, kind heart”.
Sharon McInerney called her “the best friend you could ever be blessed with” who would stay in hearts forever, while Suzanne Higgins said her loss would “leave a big gap.”
“She was woman who gave so much to others,” she said.
Ms Attard was a much-loved member of the Ocean Grove Tennis Club and was a keen swimmer, competing in the Rip View Swim Classic in January.
The annual open water swim takes in Lonsdale Bay, sadly not far from where she was located.
She was reported missing by her family after she failed to return home.
An air, sea and land search was launched involving multiple agencies from Point Lonsdale to Queenscliff before her body was pulled from the water.
She is survived by her husband, Bernard, children Hannah, Peter, Hugh and Thomas and her five siblings, Rachel, Ben, Sophie, Clare and Luke.
A funeral service will be held at Star of the Sea in Ocean Grove on May 15.
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Originally published as Mary-Rose Attard remembered as ‘kind, beautiful’ woman after Point Lonsdale tragedy
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