Centenarian Eunice Isobel Smith, a tireless advocate for ecumenism, justice and the rightful place of women in Church and society, passed away on Friday October 18th, 2024. A funeral service to celebrate her life was held at the Auburn Uniting Church, 81 Oxley Rd Hawthorn on Tuesday 29 October 2024
Born on the 3rd September 1923 in Traralgon, Victoria, she milked cows, rode to school on a bareback horse, did household chores, showing early signs of a ‘can do’ spirit, alongside a feeling for children poorer than herself. World War II in 1939, her 16th birthday, brought times of scarcity. Married to Thomas Leo Smith in 1946, they had three children, eventually opening their own store. Both were active locally, with Eunice becoming the first female President of a local ICC (interchurch council).
With the zeitgeist of the 1960s raging, Eunice’s inchoate interest in world peace, social justice and other issues led to thinkers such as Paolo Freire, Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Teilhard de Chardin. In 1976 she enrolled at the United Faculty of Theology, but travel to Melbourne for lectures while attending to the business was stressful, but nevertheless sensed a call to ordained ministry. With the business sold in 1981, she became the Victorian Council of Churches’ Field Officer for Local Ecumenism. Her Gippsland Presbytery ordained her on 17th November 1987 at the age of 64. After ministering to her congregation at the Cairns Memorial Church till 1991, she began ‘active retirement’.
A genial companion, Eunice was also a strongly motivated change-maker. Even in retirement she was engaged through the Uniting Church Synod, VCC, women’s groups, as a Minister in Association in the Pakenham Parish, carrying on, in her words, ‘as long as God gave…the strength’. She loved being a long-term member of Pax Christi, whose ‘Agapes’ on justice and peace she sometimes hosted. Many are those who have been touched by her empathy and concern marking a long, well-lived life. Vale, Eunice. RIP.
Submitted by Caesar D’Mello, a member of Pax Christi in Australia, and a Board member of Pax Christi International, was formerly National Director of Christian World Service, an aid, justice and development agency of the NCCA. He often consulted Rev Eunice Smith during various phases of his work.
Photo from UCA Victorian Collections