Juliet Lavers funeral: Mourners told of heartbreaking text

A heartbreaking text was revealed at the packed funeral for popular Hobart GP Juliet Lavers.

There was standing room only at the funeral of popular Hobart GP Juliet Lavers. Picture: PATRICK GEE

A HEARTBREAKING text message has been revealed at a packed funeral service for

popular Hobart GP Juliet Lavers.

Two years after her beloved son Liam died, Dr Lavers was laid to rest yesterday with friends and family gathering to pay tribute to a woman described as funny, intelligent and compassionate.

Juliet Lavers' sisters speak at her funeral. Picture: PATRICK GEE

It was standing room only at Turnbull Funerals, North Hobart, the same site friends and family farewelled Liam two years ago, this time to say goodbye to Dr Lavers, who died last week. She was 61.

Liam’s father Ted Mead delivered an emotionally raw eulogy revealing the devastating text he received last week.

Dr Juliet Anne Lavers

“Juliet constantly mentioned ‘I want to be with Liam’ and I feared that such a day would eventuate,” he said.

“Last Thursday she texted me with the distressing message: ‘I am going to meet with Liam’.”

Mr Mead said he managed to speak with Dr Lavers in her final moments of “inconsolable pain” but her decision was final.

Mr Mead went on to say that when Liam gave to his mother what she had always sought: unconditional love.

“For 16 years Juliet had a joyous life as a parent filling her with purpose, happiness, wonder and content.

“Unfortunately, tragedy struck when Liam was 16 and on that day essentially two people died.

“Over the past two years we had suffered intensely, we both had our good and bad days as we worked through the grieving process but seeing Juliet going through intense, unbearable pain was overwhelming.”

After her son’s death, the former doctor passionately campaigned to improve youth mental health services.

Moving tributes were shared by Juliet’s three sisters including eldest sibling Coralie Barnes.

“Two years ago the biggest catastrophe happened when Liam took his own life,” she said

“After this experience with Liam she passionately campaigned to get a mental health facility established here in Tasmania.”

Dr Juliet Lavers with her son Liam.

Rosemary David said compassion was Juliet’s most enduring quality while Shirley Lavers broke down in tears as she described Juliet as her best friend.

But just like Juliet herself, the touching service was littered with humour as a close friend recalled a time when Juliet “smuggled” a chocolate cake into the State Cinema.

OBITUARY: WHAT MADE JULIET LAVERS SO SPECIAL

Youngest sister Deborah Lavers said she enjoyed Juliet’s quick-wit and funny one liners.

“You were the sister that taught me how to ride my first bike and you taught me about sex education and how to make sure I was safe,” she told the crowd, who laughed in amusement.

Former Greens Party leader Bob Brown speaks at GP Juliet Lavers' funeral. Picture: PATRICK GEE

Dr Lavers was also renowned for her environmental and social justice campaigns such as the fight against the Wesley Vale Pulp Mill, when she formed a group called Environmental Health Association — a coalition of more than 50 doctors who successfully stopped the mill and educated the public on the deadly effects of chemicals in Tasmanian waterways.

The group went on to investigate Atrazine and other harmful pesticides.

Former Greens leader Christine Milne said there was scarcely a conservation issue in Tasmania and nationally that Juliet didn’t help with in some way during her life.

Juliet is survived by Liam’s father Ted Mead, her parents Teresa and Tony and sisters Coralie, Rosemary, Shirley and Deborah.

For 24/7 crisis support, contact Kids Helpline www.kidshelp.com.au or call 1800 551 800, Lifeline 131 114, SCBS 1300 659467 or headspace.org.au

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