Barwon Heads community farewells 100-year-old Joy Shelbourne Chellew

A well-loved “mother of many” who lived next-door to Starfish Bakery in Barwon Heads woman whose “love was in the details”.

Joy Shelbourne Chellew, born Crow, passed away on Tuesday May 13.

A well-loved “mother of many” who lived next-door to Starfish Bakery in Barwon Heads for almost two decades, has passed away just three months after her 100th birthday.

More than 90 loved ones gathered recently for a party to celebrate the milestone.

Joy Shelbourne Chellew, born Crow, died on Tuesday May 13.

Mrs Chellew was born on February 22 1925, the third child of four.

At 100, she still lived in her Hitchcock Ave home where she’d moved in 2007.

Her daughter Robyn Chellew said on sunny days, you might find her “vibrant” mum parked at The Heads, taking in the view, writing poems, or working on her bible study homework – and you would never have guessed she was 100.

“Mum threw herself into this community with gusto,” Robyn Chellew said.

She attended All Saints church and taught religious education at Barwon Heads Primary School.

Joy Shelbourne Chellew celebrated her 100th birthday on February 22.

Robyn Chellew said her mother had grown up in Melbourne against the backdrop of the Second World War.

She followed various career paths, completing a business course at Zercho’s Business College and working as a high profile secretary at just 18, due to her impressive shorthand speed, and later working as an English teacher.

Joy met her husband Roy at 25 years old.

They married in 1952 and had three daughters and two sons.

Joy Shelbourne Chellew, on her way to her 100th birthday party.

Mrs Chellew supported her youngest son Peter, through difficult years of schizophrenia, his death leading her to many years of mental health advocacy.

Later in life she was a published poet and active member of many church communities.

In 1987 she became a founding member of the Wattle Valley Christian Poets and served on the committee of the group’s publishing arm, Poetica Christi Press.

She was widely published in magazines, poetry books and a regular radio contributor.

“Your love was in the details,” her children read at an emotional eulogy on Tuesday as they farewelled their mother.

“The small, everyday moments — not just the big milestones — shaped us.”

“We carry those memories and values forward in our own lives now.”

Originally published as Barwon Heads community farewells 100-year-old Joy Shelbourne Chellew