By Abbey Cannan
The community has paid tribute to much-loved Noosa local Barb Hannon, remembering her for her charm and generosity, after she suddenly passed away in her home.
The Noosa Farmers Market, Noosa Women’s Shed and the Tewantin Noosa Lions Club are just a few of the groups to which she devoted her talents and passion.
Barb’s daughter, Georgie Hannon said she hoped she would be remembered as “a selfless, generous mum, and a great, loyal friend to lots of Noosa people, but also from her hometown of Johannesburg“.
Barb was the only child of German parents Werner and Beatrice Schutte, born in Johannesburg, but she spent much of her early life in Europe and Australia.
She worked as a flight attendant and travelled the world, eventually marrying an American, Edward (Jay) Hannon, in the ’70s and having a son, Matt, and a daughter, Georgie.
The family left South Africa at the height of apartheid wishing to move to Australia to join family in Sydney, however, due to migration quotas, they had to wait five years for their visa, which were spent in Connecticut, USA.
The family settled initially in Sydney before moving to Noosa about 20 years ago, following a divorce.
“Selflessly, she gave nearly all of her time and energy to us kids until we were old enough to fend for ourselves, move out and gallivant around the world,“ Georgie said.
“Noosa offered mum a place to rest and recover from the end of her marriage and gave her a place in a friendly community, which she had been missing since leaving South Africa.“
Barb had her own fair share of loss in life, including her parents dying when she was young, but didn’t let that stop her from living a life filled with travel and education.
“She was very easy to talk to and very empathetic to people who needed a chat or just some help working out ’life admin’,“ Georgie said.
Barb was very social and enjoyed art, theatre, music and the natural way of life, so Noosa suited her to the core.
“I used to drag mum to my events that I worked on such as Noosa Tri, Jazz Festival and Food and Wine to help sell tickets or whatever, so that we could spend some time together,“ Georgie said.
“She met a number of other like-minded people at these events and the groups that supported them such as the Lions Club.
“She loved the fact she could help the community and enjoy what Noosa had to offer at the same time – not many other towns offer that.
“Additionally she applied that same principle to her work – she loved public and community services whether it was working for Glen Elmes or Shane Stanley or Noosa or Maroochydore youth services.
“Whenever I popped in, I would hear her on the phone, whether it was state parliament, a person in need or a charity, and she’d be helping them work out ’how to get something done’ quickly and efficiently. She wanted to help people with things that they found difficult, whatever it was.“
Georgie said some of their favourite memories included a trip to Bali for Barb’s 60th birthday.
“As a family, we went on wonderful safaris in Botswana, ski trips in Vermont and many a holiday in Noosa, where we enjoyed mum’s cooking and the serenity of her house,“ she said.
Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien said Barb was a stalwart of the Noosa community.
“Having worked for the former State Member for Noosa Glen Elmes, and then later in my office, and I know that she helped thousands of people over many years through her work in state and federal spheres,“ Mr O’Brien said.
“Kind, compassionate, creative, colourful, charming, generous, thoughtful and witty are just a few of the characteristics that I think of when I think of Barb.
“The Wide Bay team and I will forever hold Barb in the highest regard and we extend our deepest sympathies to her family and loved ones.“
Georgie said her Mum would be in awe with the amount of love and condolence that has been shared to herself and her brother Matt.
“We are both looking forward to being able to get to Noosa together to hold her memorial service and hopefully meet up with some of her friends and anyone wanting to pay their respects,“ she said.
A memorial service will be held at Gregson and Weight Funeral Directors, Noosaville as soon as border restrictions ease.
Check notices at gregsonweight.com.au/funeral-notices/
