“Mourning is one of the most profound human experiences that it is possible to have… The deep capacity to weep for the loss of a loved one and to continue to treasure the memory of that loss is one of our noblest human traits”.
~ Shneidman (1980)
One of our former instructors, Roslyn Gemeren, passed away on Friday March 30. Ros had suffered from an eating disorder for many years and her death has been attributed to complications arising from this.
Ros started teaching for Jacki’s in June 1998 and over her years as an instructor she taught at Hornsby, Carlingford, Ryde East and St. Ives. Students from many other classes would have met Ros when she filled in for sick or injured instructors. She was generous to a fault and never said “no” when asked by another instructor to take over a class at very short notice.
Ros was open, honest, sweet-natured and a truly “good” person.
After she stopped teaching for Jacki’s in late 2005, we kept in touch from time to time. She always enquired after everyone in my family, and was famous for posting handmade cards for birthdays, Christmas and, touchingly, Mothers’ Day.
I visited Ros when she was staying at a treatment facility in Ashfield, and on some occasions I brought her back to my house for afternoon tea. Instructors Jennifer Lee and Sue Pretty both accompanied me on various visits and I know that their support meant a lot to Ros.
I’ll miss Ros, and my heart goes out to her family – her sister Meredith, her father Joost and her stepmother Helen.
Ros was 42 years old.
If you have a memory of Ros please feel free to share it here.
Diana Royds
Goodbye Ros,
I’ll miss your gentleness, thoughtfulness & kindness , you were such a loving soul, may you rest in peace sweet Roslyn
My heart & thoughts go out to the whole family, may you all find peace in knowing that she is not suffering anymore.
I remember very well when you first joined our JSAD team of instructors, such a shy & caring person, I felt I wanted to adopt you as my second daughter… I miss you…!
With loving thoughts
Sam
Gentle, humble,compassionate and courageous are just a few qualities that come to mind when I think of Ros.
She fought her illness with all she had – a quiet perseverance against a pernicious disease.
Her generosity of spirit and the kindness that defined her, I will miss. Yet to know she is now released of the pain and despair that dominated her life, provides great comfort.
To her family, my thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time.
With love Sue.
Dear Ros
No one who knew you will ever forget your sweetness, gentleness, humility, generosity and love for your students. Thank you for the January classes you ran at East Ryde that inspired other instructors to introduce them.
We remember the lovingly executed cards you made to thank us for our Christmas gifts and to wish us well when we were sick, and the messages you sent us when you couldn’t attend our social functions. We missed you when you moved and could no longer join us for coffee after class.
Rest in peace when you are not dancing with the angels.