OBITUARY
GLORIA FISH
March 9, 1930 – June 20, 2022
TO HER family she was “a legend”, their rock who always stood by them, to her church she was a woman of real faith and to her community she was a true champion.
Family and faith were the cornerstones of Gloria Fish’s life. Completed by friends and her love of sport, her life was full and fun.
Gloria Therese Fish was baptised, made her first communion and confirmation, was married and was farewelled from St Mary’s Catholic Church.
Fr Stephen Bliss, who celebrated the funeral, said Gloria was a woman of great faith who, even when she was very sick, would always rouse to say the prayers.
Daughter Mary Smith said her mum loved her garden and her home was her castle.
“She loved to be dressed up and the highlight of her year was attending the Ipswich Cup,” Ms Smith said.
“Gloria had a very close affinity with the Ipswich Turf Club with her grandfather James, her father Gerry and her husband Mervyn all being life members.”
Dr Merv Fish was an ITC member for 53 years, Gerry Nolan a member for 50 years and James Nolan a foundation committee member of the ITC’s predecessor, the Ipswich Amateur Turf Club.
Mrs Fish was a foundation member and life member of the Ipswich Club and supported Meals on Wheels and the Ipswich Golf Club.
“Gloria was a member of the Ipswich Golf Club for over 60 years and won many championships during this time,” Ms Smith said.
Mrs Fish’s parents were Gerry and Molly Nolan and she had two older sisters Geraldine (deceased) and Peggy Hughes.
She attended St Mary’s College before studying physiotherapy at the University of Queensland.
She married Mervyn Fish on November 22 1953 and they had four children – Margaret, Mary, John and Michael.
Gloria Fish was born on March 9, 1930 and died on June 20, 2022, aged 92 and her funeral was held on Friday, July 1.
Son John said the biggest change in his mother’s life came in March 1953 with “the arrival of the Tassie Tiger, known as Merv, our dad”.
“He was a doctor and he arrived up here to do a relieving locum for a man who unfortunately died – for us, fortunately – and Dad stayed on,” he said.
“Mum’s father Gerald who was the local chemist, entrepreneur; he made himself known to Dad and quickly worked out that Dad was of a gambling family, a horse racing family.
“So Gerald took Dad under his wing and introduced him to the Ipswich races, all which my dad soaked up. There’s no doubt he saw in this fine specimen of a human being something more.
“So the best tip my grandfather ever put out was to Merv. He said: ‘Stradbroke Day is on Saturday; be on the East Ipswich railway platform, get on the third carriage, there’s a woman there that is being groomed to meet you.’
“That was my mum Gloria. My father said she was the most beautiful woman he’d ever laid eyes on.
“But most of all was her great love for the whole family. We’re lucky to be here today with all of mum’s four children, the 14 grandchildren – 13 of them here, one is away overseas. The legacy that she left is immense.
“Mum’s circle of friends – unbelievable. She rarely had an unhappy day. She was truly blessed and we were truly blessed to be the kids of a great woman like Gloria.”
