Waverley Cemetery

"Daddies little Master", Maclean Luke was born at 1.41am on the 29 December 1999 at the Sydney Adventist Hospital, Wahroonga some six (6) minutes after the arrival of this "best mate" identical twin brother, Lleyton Thomas.

No one on that day was prouder than me. I always wanted little boys but two (2) at the same time, I was truly blessed. Of course mum was beside herself whilst the grandparents were over the moon.

On day four (4) and weighting only 2.24kg, Maclean was diagnosed with a complex congenital heart defect a condition which resulted in this death at 6.30pm on Friday 24 October 2003 at "The Children's Hospital, Westmead".

For those who knew "Our Little Master", behind those navy blue lips, the rosy cheeks, the skinny short legs, the flat feet and his boney little bum was a spirited, determined, gutsy and inspirational little man who not only accepted the cards he was dealt but was able to do it with a smile and sense of humour. Maclean loved to be in control and giving orders was an art he mastered from early on. Maclean was not biased or discrimative about who he dished lip too, if he didn't like it or if he didn't want it then you were told about it. You frequently saw Maclean walking across the park or a room with his little blue, clubbed index finger pointed giving orders and directions. It would be nothing to see Maclean sitting at his "Bob the Builder" table with his tea with all three (3) TV's showing his three (3) favourite videos, with Nay-Nay getting the drinks, dad getting the next cheese stick and mum being told what she could do with her freshly cooked mashed veggies.

Even Maclean's medical entourage which was plentiful, were not safe. Nurses, doctors and particularly his cardiologist Doctor Sholler received copious amount of lip, a quality he was renowned for in hospital. Quite often you would walk into the hospital ward and a nurse to which you have never met would say,

"So this is Maclean. Yes we have heard about him."

It is not that Maclean was not grateful to these wonderful people but it was his way of preparing them, himself and his family for the rocky road ahead.

Maclean's life was a challenge from day one. The severity of his condition meant those simple tasks such as walking and playing made him tired. But Maclean, who warmed to a challenge, had the uncanny ability to turn a challenge into a positive experience. When walking down his favourite track – the wobbly bridge at Bobbin Head, Maclean would want to be carried in order to keep up with his "Phar-lap" brother striding out-front. A cute glance followed by the words "bit puffed" was Maclean way of ensuring an efficient ride from A to B. Being carried was not too bad especially as he could get heaps of kisses and cuddles from mum.

To counteract for his physical limitation, Maclean became very observant and aware of his surrounds and the little things to which he enjoyed. So much so one could easily call him a sticky-beak. It would be nothing for Maclean to notice his beloved "Wiggles or Thomas" logo on the front cover of a video being advertised in the K-mart magazine or know the timetable of the choo choo's that ran between Hornsby and Berowra. Maclean was alert, sharp and once he committed himself to a task he refused to move until he met his goal.

We were aware right from the beginning that every day we had with Maclean was a gift. A gift that would not have been possible without a very important team including Dr Graeme Nunn, Dr Gary Sholler, Dr Neil Ginsberg or "Naughty Dr Neil" as Maclean called him and his G.P Dr Sarah Bentley. This team gave Maclean almost four (4) years full of happiness and a quality of life that was incredible considering the extent of his heart problems. Dr Neil always made himself available to us and as much as Maclean challenged him, he always came up with the answers. Neil's care for his "little mate" stretched way beyond just doing his job. He was there at Maclean's birth and has been with us every step of the way. He has always been just as interested in the well being of our whole family and for this we are eternally grateful. We will miss the ongoing contact and friendship with Neil that was made possible because of Maclean.

Dr Nunn's hands and talent gave Maclean life. We have touched Dr Nunn's hands many times and every time we get goose bumps thinking that without those hands the precious time we had with Maclean would not have been possible. Dr Nunn is more than a surgeon, he is an exceptionally kind hearted human, and a person you feel privileged to have crossed paths with. How do you thank someone for the gift of time.

Dr Sholler, Maclean's Cardiologist probably was given the hardest time by Maclean. Dr Sholler always provided us with honest, realistic information about Maclean's heart, which was not always easy to hear. Every visit was a reality check but it was also a chance for us to yet again be amazed by Maclean's strength, ability and determination to live a normal life even with such a crappy heart. We thank him for this caring approach and honesty. It was Maclean's gift that on his last visit to Dr Sholler he gave him the opportunity to see him as the happy little boy so full of life. I think Dr Sholler nearly fell over when Maclean walked into his office tearless and looked in the eye and said "Hi Sholler".

Dr Sarah came into our lives just over 12 months ago but she has the privilege of being the only doctor in Maclean's life that he never cried for. He wasn't silly she is an attractive blonde. We thank her for her time and care. Dr Judy Hesse was Maclean's GP before this and she also was a very close family friend, the support she provided to us as a family will never be forgotten.

Maclean's "live life to the fullest" attitude was not without fear. Three (3) previous operations, twenty five (25) weeks in hospital and the going medical consultations made Maclean scared and insecure. That said, Maclean had the strength and courage to move through such experiences and in the process alter the way others especially his parents assess their life and values. Maclean had the ability to touch people whether indirectly or directly. A testimony to Maclean's strength is when he broke his leg. Like he needed that. He didn't cry and the only way we knew it was broken was when he couldn't stand. All the staff in the Emergency section of the SAH were stunned at how brave he was. Within two (2) days he was up and walking around like "peg-leg" with a full length cast. One can't keep a good man down. Maclean just didn't have time to sit around and feel sorry for himself and as far as he was concerned a broken leg was a walk in the park compared to open heart surgery.

Under Maclean's cheeky wide smile was a sense of humour full of mischievousness. When frequently asked by me at night "Do you love daddy" with a twinkle in his eye he would simply respond "No". Yet before he went to sleep he would wrap his arms around your neck, sweeze you tightly and say "I love you daddy". Maclean had worked out dad's little teasing games and thus decided it was pay back time.

Maclean was passionate about a lot of things including, The Wiggles, Thomas the Tank Engine, McDonald Chips, Apple Tree Bay, his bike and throwing rocks. But the one thing he adored most of all was his brother Lleyton, affectionately named "Nay-Nay". Although Maclean was the boss, Lleyton was the leader. Maclean had direction, but he needed his brother to go first to pave the way. Maclean would follow his brother anywhere and everywhere. They were more then just best mates. They had their own language and an outstanding of each other beyond comprehension. This meant they knew exactly where the other was without needing to speak. There never once fought, ran into one another or got in each others ways. They shared, cuddled, laughed and cried together. Where one went the other was never more than two (2) steps behind. Lleyton was Maclean's Hero and Maclean was Lleyton's. Although Maclean has passed, his spirit will always be proudly reflected in Lleyton.

A close second to Lleyton was Maclean's mum Kirsty. Maclean and Kirsty shared a special bond. Kirsty gave up her career and dedicated her life to raising our two (2) little boys, a decision for which I will be always grateful. The pleasure on the boys little faces as mum was packing a picnic for the morning session at "Bobbin Head will always be an image I will cherish.

We often hear and read about people who inspire and affect the life of others. Maclean was one of these people. A testament of this is all of you here today. The only difference is that he had the ability to do this in less than four (4) years not a life time like others.

Today we should celebrate Maclean's short life not mourn his death. Maclean would not have it any other way. Therefore, please join us after this service at Maclean's favourite place, Apple Tree Bay.

Maclean, mummy & daddy will always be proud of your determination in the face of adversity. You are our inspiration and hero.

"Mr. Master Maclean Luke" Lleyton, mummy & I will miss you dearly. You will always be in our hearts and in our minds. We will never forget you. We love you this, this, this, this, this, this, this, this much.

We have gathered here today to celebrate the life, and happier times spent with a very special Lady, Mother, Mother-in-law, Nanna & Greatgrand Nanna and Nonna, Anastasia, Ne or Nestina as she was commonly known to her many friends and family.

Nanna was the first of 5 children born to Edmondo and Maria Macinante on the 14th July 1923 at Forest Lodge, Sydney.

Nanna had one sister Frances (Deceased) and three brothers, Eddie and Tory (deceased) and is survived by Brother Norm who is here today.

Nanna told of her childhood growing up in a residence behind her father's barber shop in New South Head Road, Rose Bay. The residence was 2 stories and was attached to the rear of the shop. It opened onto a very small back yard and a narrow lane at the back leading to a side street, which also served as an entrance to the local billiard rooms

Nanna being the first born of an Italian family, and a girl at that, had a very strict and sometimes challenging upbringing. Growing up as the oldest child in the Macinante family brought much responsibility, not to mention the challenges of integration as they grew up and become part of the Australian community.

Their father was very strict and very well connected with the Italian community of the Eastern Suburbs – he knew everyone and everything that was going on. The 5 Macinante children could not get away with anything, without their dad finding out and if caught they were severely punished. Many stories were told of the old Barbers strap or the little thin strap Nanna's dad seemed to carry with him everywhere.

Despite the odd disciplinary event, it was a very tight, loving, caring and close knit family, a bond the family shared throughout their whole lives and although Nanna eventually moved to Leeton, there were many, many visits and weekly communications. There was a Sunday morning ritual where Nanna would receive an early call from her dad, and if he didn't call Nanna would.

Nanna attended Rose Bay Catholic School and the local church, Mary Magdalene's, was just a couple of blocks up the road.

Nanna did very well at primary school and was accepted to go to Fort Street High (private school), but her parents did not allow her to go, and she had to leave school at 14 to help her mother with the chores. Chores which included looking after the rest of the family, working behind the counter in the Barber shop selling cigarettes and later what was to become her passion in life, learning to cook, something that Nanna was famous for. She was an excellent cook, and her recipes are just one of the many legacies she has passed on to her family. Every Sunday it was Pasta or Spaghetti with a range of meats from chicken, lamb or beef accompanied by baked potatoes pumpkin and her special peas and the tomato sauce had to be cooked slowly until the oil floated to the top. This was all accompanied with a good glass of home made red wine or cold tea as Nonno would say.

It was whilst working behind the counter that Nanna was to meet her future husband, Joe. Nonno often told the story how it was on a visit to Mac's barbers shop to get a haircut that he first set eyes on Nanna working behind the counter and as he often loved to tell "It was love at first sight". Nonno was a debonair young Italian man, a bit of a charmer, and some 8 years older than Nanna. His family were fruit farmers in Leeton and Joe was working in Sydney and doing the things that young men did in those days, especially dancing, which he enjoyed immensely.

Following more than the usual number of haircuts and the purchase of regular packets of "Champion Ready Rub Tobacco" all occurring under the watchful eye of her dad, their brief open encounters resulted in a request to marry, as was the tradition in those days. They were granted permission to marry, with their courting times restricted to holding hands under the dinner table, and a brief peck on the cheek in front of the oldies.

On 1 May 1943, at the age of 19, Nanna married Giuseppe Senti, at the local church Mary Magdalene's, and soon after, and much to her father's disapproval, moved to live in Leeton, where they initially lived with her in laws in a single room in the house on the family farm.

Nanna would often tell in her words how she went from a life of riches, living in the City with all of the creature comforts, to living with her in-laws in a single room and then living in a rented mud brick house on a farm they leased next door. They then moved to another rented house on Harold Eckley's farm at Fivebough, before eventually in 1951, buying their own farm, with a fibro house that became the family home, on Farm 1228 Corbie Hill, Leeton.

One of my favourite stories Nanna would often tell of how she first arrived in Leeton on the train from Sydney with her father, all dressed up in hat, gloves and stockings etc in the middle of summer, and was met at the railway station by family member, Frank Mirabelli who came to pick them up with a horse & sulky. Nanna was not happy about this and and initially refusing to travel in the horse & sulky, and insisting on catching a tram, bus or taxi? This was the same Lady who was quick to change from serving behind the counter in a pretty dress to picking vegetables with her new born beside her in a cannary box.

Nanna had 5 children, the first 2 (Tom and Lynne) were born in Sydney at a private hospital organised by her parents, the other 3 (Twins Maria and Eddie, "and last but not least the "Baby of the family" Jeanette) were all born in Leeton Hospital, with Tom arriving almost exactly nine months after they were married. Another story she often told was about their early means of transport, which was a men's bike and how Nonno used to dink her on the handle bars until one day when pregnant with Tom, they had a fall and then they decided to improve their means of transport and bought a horse and spring cart.

Nanna lived for and devoted her whole life to her children, and they were the most important things in Nanna's life. She was always making sure they had the best food and clothes the family could afford, not to mention her steady hand and guidance as they grew up and went to school, and later her role became even more important as she guided them "and Nonno" through the sometimes difficult courting phase of their lives. She accepted, loved and respected all of her daughters-in-law and sons-in-law and they loved her as their own.

Growing up in the Senti family was all about family. Whether it was regular visits from family in Sydney, or the many regular family dinners and work lunches in Leeton. Later in life, a favourite was the family Saturday Night ritual of going to the movies at the Roxy Theatre and Roxy Gardens- regardless of what movie was on- These weekly "Movie" events are especially remembered by the treats that arrived at interval, when Nonno would return with a handful of ice creams at half time, and of course a double for him – Just Loved his "Swedes" as he called all things sweet.

Later as they got a little older and if they had earned enough pocket money, at interval they would be allowed go next door to the milk bar and buy their own treats; minties, fantails, jaffas and would share them. If they lasted, the next morning, they would get together in one of the bedrooms and there would be rubber band fights with the lolly papers of the left over sweets, before they would all pile into Nanna & Nonno's bedroom to eat the block of Cadbury Chocolate Nonno had bought the night before for them all share. Another family ritual.

Nanna & Nonno were seen as early pioneers in the Leeton community, and due to Nanna's influence, they became a bridge between the Italian and Australian communities, by making everyone welcome in their home. They were extremely generous with whatever they had, and visitors always left the farm with a box of fruit or vegetables or a dish of Nannas food.

Nanna made friends easily, through her love of sewing and playing bowls on a Wednesday afternoon with the Ladies and Saturday nights with Nonno. The sewing went on to become a full time job as she expanded her skills from making many dresses for her girls - especially at show time - or to the making of wedding and bridesmaids dresses, school uniforms, ball gowns and casual clothes for her daughters initially, and later making ballet costumes, bridemaids dresses, graduation and wedding outfits for her granddaughters and for the many, many women and girls, of the Leeton community. There was a constant stream of girls to be fitted, and she loved having the young people around her, with many of them going on to become close family friends.

When Nonno retired from the farm in 1980 they moved into a new brick home in town (67 Laurel Crescent, Leeton) – the realisation of a long time dream for Nanna.

However it was not long before Nonno became bored, even though he managed to fill in his time with lawn bowls, chatting outside the newsagents and visits to his brother Franks farm. Nanna had her sewing and enjoyed being in a nice home, with clean running water, a lovely garden and lots of friends, and of course just down the road from her Daughter Lynne, husband Barry and grandchildren who were regular after school visitors, not to mention all the sleepovers, where you'd get to sleep with Nanna and share her electric blanket.

A special memory I share with my two brothers and sister, was having lunch with Nanna every Wednesday in Years 11 & 12. We'd walk down from Leeton High School and she'd have cooked a three course lunch, which we'd indulge in, have a few wines and get back to school for sport.

Unfortunately, Nonno died suddenly in 1986 and Nanna missed him dreadfully. She missed fussing around him and cooking his favourite dishes, even though she would nag about having to do it, but it was a ritual they had developed, and in many ways was the way they showed their devoted love for one another.

Despite regular visits to and from family members in Condobolin, Cooma, Orange, Sydney, and later Murwillumbah, life living on her own contributed to the onset of some memory loss which was later to become a mild form of dementia.

When all of the family had moved away from Leeton, it was appropriate for Nanna to relocate closer to one of the family, and the decision was made to move into her own Unit at Kingscliff, near Murwillumbah, a move which took place at the same time as one of her best friends Lola Belford, who also moved to Kingscliff to be nearer her family in Murwillumbah.

Unfortunately Lola died soon after arriving at Kingscliff, and this did not help Nanna who's dementia started to slowly get worse, and resulted in the family decision in 2001 to move Nanna to live, near her daughter Jeanette in the Condobolin Retirement Village, where she was to live out her final days, and where she was a much loved member of the village.

The friendly and caring staff and the comfortable familiar surroundings kept Nanna going and we know she was loved and respected as a happy and gentle resident.

Despite Nanna's short term memory loss, Nanna was always quick to show her recognition of family members by the big grin on her face, followed by the loving kisses. She missed her sewing dreadfully and occasionally she would go looking for her beloved sewing machine and for some crazy reason she was convinced that Her son –in- law Denis had snuck in and stolen it – which clearly wasn't the case and Denis just happened to be the wrong person in the wrong place and thankfully he took no offence and we all still have a bit of a chuckle, about this today including Denis.

Nanna will always be remembered, even in her very last days, as an elegant lady, who always dressed and looked smart, with lipstick and perfume and not a hair out of place, always manicured and almost every night, for as far back as we can remember, she would have her hair tucked up in rollers. She was never without a few hankies, either tucked down the front of her dress or up her sleeve, and in the last few years, one of her obsessions was the collecting of face washers whenever she passed the linen shelf in the Village.

Some of the things we will never forget about our mum and nanna are:-

She was only satisfied with perfection in her sewing; The house was spick and span –as the kids remember the weekly ritual of "on your knees polishing the floor with wax" and heaven forbid if Nonno or anyone walked in with dirty shoes (not to mention the plastic runners to protect the carpet in later years); She cooked the best pasta. Loved children, especially her own children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, and always had a treat in the fridge usually salami, olives, schnitzel, prosciutto. Her beautiful handwriting and perfect speech (although her Italian had the occasional English word thrown in); and

Family and friends, thank you for allowing us to share some of the many happy memories of a Special lady, Mother, Mother-in-law, Nanna, Grandmother. Nonna and Great Grand Mother, whose time has come for her to leave us, to join her other love in heaven. As we say farewell, we know her legacy lives on in her family, who loved her so much, and who will miss her forever.

Anastasia Francesca Maria Senti (nee Macinante)

Aged 85 years,
Passed Away 5 November, 2008
Condobolin Nursing Home
Requiem Mass St Josephs Catholic Church Leeton
Interned Leeton Lawn Cemetery 11 November, 2008