Vale: Carmel Maree McLean
02.12.1954 – 29.05.2023
AS time goes by, Carmel McLean’s most loved ones will treasure forever her special virtues and values but right now, they’re wondering how to go on without her.
Carmel is cherished as the wife of Jeff, mother and mother-in-law of David and Amber, Bridget and Rob and their children Tristan, Ned, Ella and Kayla.
Hundreds attended and livestreamed the St Mary’s Catholic Church service last Wednesday to celebrate the life of Carmel McLean who died from cancer on May 29.
Her son, David, delivered the eulogy and spoke the words of his sister Bridget, who stood beside him. David described his mum as a “wonderful, amazing, warm, kind person.”
“I don’t know what happens next. I’m really uncertain,” David said.
“Mum’s fight through the disease and its aftershocks was remarkable and amazing.
“Mum’s strength and determination is a guide to me in my darkest times. Mum has been a beacon of light for me. I don’t know how I would have ended up if it wasn’t for her.
“Our life will never be the same and, to allay the concerns of the congregation, we are not okay and we’re at peace with that.
“Mum is no longer in pain and suffering so we are okay to begin to heal.”
From Bridget’s perspective, her mum was “my best friend, my world.”
“As you grow up, many young girls head off to parties, hang out with friends, hit the movies or shopping, but all I wanted to do was be with my mum,” Bridget wrote.
“Our adventures were special – shopping trips, finding cute boutiques, exploring sewing, craft shops and expos.
“I could say I was blessed to have a woman like you in my corner. But to be honest, it was my great honour to be your daughter.
“Being able to live with you and look after you for the last five years has been my great privilege.”
Carmel Maree McLean (nee Crilly) was born in Ipswich on December 2, 1954 to Patricia and Andy Crilly, the second of five kids. The others are Anne, Andrew, Margaret and Anthony.
“Mum’s first experience with tragedy was losing her father. He died when mum was only nine,” David said.
“School years were hard with the nuns less than understanding of her free thinking.
“Mum would captivate with a moxie that would attract and radiate to others. In a time where the mandate was to blend in, it was apparent mum chose to use her starlight brilliant light to shine.
“Picture this: mum had a blue VW bug; Uncle Andy had a Monaro. Routinely she would borrow his car and render him with hers.
“I could only imagine a young, beautiful woman driving a muscle car at that time. “Couple this with her love for riding motorcycles. She finally reported to me she dropped her Honda 500cc on her leg whilst wearing a miniskirt. She proudly brandished the trophy of a scar from the hot exhaust pipe.”
Jeff McLean was the love of Carmel’s life. The McLean family ran the Central Hotel in the Ipswich CBD before Carmel and Jeff took it over.
In 1985, the family moved to the Coronation Hotel on Brisbane Street in West Ipswich.
In 2010, the McLeans were dealt a cruel blow when Jeff died.
“Mum and dad worked very hard, day in, day out for many years. Mum was the brains; Dad was the brawn,” David said.
After Jeff died, followed just months later by the sudden death of her mother, Carmel was “destroyed.”
But, Bridget said: “Your new world was hard, but David and I supported you. It was a trio.”
Showing her innate resilience, Carmel rebuilt her life. With Jeff’s cousin Liz, she travelled to China, the Amalfi Coast and through America, Europe and the UK.
She also delighted in expressing herself with craft and fabrics – “Crafty Carmel” was born.
Father Stephen Bliss, who performed the funeral service, said the quilt that was on top of Carmel’s coffin was a special creation called ‘Songbird’.
Carmel started it with her friend Judy at the beginning of her cancer battle and finished it with Bridget during her final treatment last year.
