Funeral service held for Brendan and Yvonne Frawley

The son of a beloved couple who died on the same day has told those gathered for their funeral of his mum’s selfless ways and how his dad was his hero.

The service for Brendan and Yvonne Frawley was held at St Joseph’s Catholic Church on Friday morning.

A heartbreaking funeral service has been held for a beloved Hervey Bay couple who died on the same day.

The service for Brendan and Yvonne Frawley was held at St Joseph’s Catholic Church on Friday morning.

It began to the strains of Amazing Grace as dozens gathered to farewell the couple, who died on April 17.

Yvonne was a respected teacher at Star of the Sea Catholic Primary School in Hervey Bay.

Brendan and Yvonne were much-loved parents and grandparents who were devoted to their family.

In a touching eulogy, their son told those gathered that family and friends were the most important thing to his parents.

“They were happiest when they were surrounded by the ones they love,” he said.

Family gatherings were regular, always including food, laughter music, stirring up the grandkids and more food, he said.

Weekend trips to Brisbane to see the footy or a gig were also a regular event, he remembered.

“Mum was an amazing woman,” he said.

“She was a comforter when we were upset, and the swift hand of justice with the orange kitchen spoon when we needed straightening out.

Yvonne Frawley was a much-loved teacher at Star of the Sea Catholic Primary School.

“She was the cook, the cleaner, the nurse when we were sick.

“Although it was usually the same remedy for everything – ‘just put a bit of Vicks on that’,” he said.

“Mum was truly a selfless person, which is evident from her decades of work at Star of the Sea and also the work she did volunteering at an orphanage in Cambodia.”

She had fallen in love with the country and the children, he said.

Yvonne had been a part of the Star of the Sea community for decades and saw her own children go through the school, he said.

“Dad was my hero and my best mate,” he said.

“From my earliest memories I wanted to be just like him.”

Brendan Frawley remembered: “Dad was my hero and my best mate.’’

He remembered following him around the dairy and his dad teaching him his first guitar chords.

Brendan had grown up on the family farm, milking cows, playing music in the shearing shed with his brother and mates.

He had a love of music and played in many bands.

“The last few weeks have been really tough.

“I’ve wanted to call dad and ask him what to do, but I know that I can’t.

“I’ve needed mum to put her arms around me and tell me everything will be all right, but I know it won’t.

“We’re going to miss them.”

A photo montage of happy moments throughout the couple’s lives was then shown to those gathered before the service concluded to the sound of Jeff Buckley’s Hallelujah.

Originally published as Funeral service held for Brendan and Yvonne Frawley