Kay’s chuffed at parting gift

Deputy Mayor Bob Abbot was on hand to officially open Drysdale Funeral's community centre, pictured with location manager Christine Sterlson. Photos: Jordan Cullen

By JOLENE OGLE

IT was a one in 360 chance, but Sunshine Beach resident, Kay Sharpe, is now the proud winner of her very own pre-paid funeral.
“I just shrieked with laughter when I found out I had won,” she said.
The give-away was part of Drysdale Funeral’s 25th birthday celebrations, which also included an open day and tour of the Tewantin site, last Wednesday.
Deputy mayor Bob Abbot was on hand to officially open Drysdale’s new function centre, which is designed for community use.
Ms Sharpe, who attended the open day just to enter the draw, said she had never won anything in her life.
“Trust me to win something I can’t ever collect,” she said.
“But this is great for my daughters, Cassandra and Melinda. When I rang to tell them, they laughed hysterically. They said winning my own funeral sounds like something I would do.”
Drysdale Funerals location manager Christine Sterlson said the prize was their way of thanking the community.
“We’ve been here, helping the community, for so long and we wanted to celebrate that by helping someone with their own funeral,” she said.
Ms Sharpe said winning the funeral, valued at $4000, is a big relief and weight off her shoulders.
“This means so much. I’ve been struggling to organise funeral insurance,” she said.
But her perception of death hasn’t been changed by the win.
“Dying is something you know is going to happen from the word go,” she said.
“So this just becomes a parting gift for my daughters.”