EULOGY - Margaret ‘Maggie’ Bergagnin -1939-2021

Maggie…… a much loved, mother, granny, sister and friend. A woman who gave so much of her love to all of those around here. Maggie Bergagnin was born Margaret Cynthia Robinson, in North Aleton, a small town in North Yorkshire, England, on 12 November 1939. The first child of John and Mary Robinson, Maggie had three younger brothers, Tony, Jeff and David. Although she will always be Maggie to us, she was called Cynthia or Cynth by her Family and friends in England. Her Family lived in a tiny house with the three boys sharing one bedroom, and the upstairs closet was changed into a sleeping area for Maggie. Due to the demands of Johns Job, Mary was often parenting on her own, and no doubt Maggie played a large role in helping with the house and raising her three younger brothers. Growing up during the Second World War was a challenge for all involved, and Maggie remembers as a child hearing the air raid sirens and having to hide, thankfully though her home town never took any direct damage. Despite all the hardships growing up in these times, they were a loving family and had a close bond that continued throughout her life.

Maggie attended Romanby Junior and Allerton Shire Schools while growing up in England. She enjoyed her team sports and played grass hocky and netball during her younger years in England. Another sport that was close to her heart was Tennis, she was pretty handy with a tennis racquet and passed her love of the sport onto both her children. Maggie and Cindy attended the Australian Open in 2010 and both thoroughly enjoyed the tournament.

In 1965 Maggie decided it was time to see more of the world and headed off to London with a good friend to work for a short time, before they planned to head across the seas to Australia. As is the way sometimes the best laid plans can go awry, and her friend cancelled her trip at the last minute. Maggie was determined to go anyway and set off by herself on the sea voyage to Australia aboard the ship The Castel Felice. This is obviously were Maggies love for adventure and travel began. Maggie celebrated her 26^th birthday aboard the Castel Felice on route to Sydney.

Maggie spent 6 months working various jobs in Sydney, as luck would have it; she stumbled across an advert for a waitress at the Kingfisher Airtel here on Norfolk Island. The position offered the successful applicant a fully paid airfare to the Island. Keen to see more of the world Maggie applied for the position and was lucky enough to be successful.

As mentioned earlier, before arriving on Norfolk Island, Maggies family and friends called her Cynthia or Cynth, however when she started work at Kingfisher there was already a Cynthia working there. To save any confusion the Boss decided that she needed to be called Maggie, and so she was known to all of us from that day forth.

When Maggie took up her position at the Kingfisher, the cook at the time was Gwenny Bergagnin. They struck up a quick friendship and it was through this friendship that she was introduced to John Bergagnin. It wasn’t long until John and Maggie became an item, it was a relationship that lasted 13 years and resulted in two wonderful kids, Brett and Cindy, and two beautiful grandchildren, Jack and Jemima.

While being a full time mum to Brett and Cindy, Maggie also worked hard at many different places on Island, including the South Pacific Duty Free Shop, Something Special (with Cherie Buffett who became a life long friend), book keeping for Roy Nobbs and other businesses, and various domestic odd jobs. She was happy to take work home, including the book keeping and ironing, this allowed her to hold more than one job, be a mum and raise the funds to build her dream family home in her beautiful valley on Rocky Point Road.

Her family home was one of her greatest prides, and her own personal haven. She bought a small piece of land, which many believed was no good for anything, but Maggie had a vision of what it could become. She played a large part in designing her home, and with much hard work and dedication, Maggie turned a lantana ridden gulley into a picturesque garden and home, where she raised her two kids and spent lots of time with her Grandchildren.

For 31 years Maggie worked for Agnes Hain at the Bounty/Travel Centre, she loved her time there and this position played huge part in her life. She made many lifelong friends amongst the people who worked there over the years. Her time at the Bounty Centre wasn’t so much a job, as a part of her life. After the business was sold Maggie took up a position at Travel World with Pam and Joe.

These two travel agency jobs gave Maggie the ability to explore one of her great life loves of Traveling. After Brett and Cindy had grown up and moved out of the family home, Maggie was free to travel, and travel she did. Over the years Maggie visited many parts of the world, including the Inka Trail and New York with Cherie Irvine, China, Hong Kong, LA and Holland with Ria, Italy, Vietnam and England with Cindy, and Zimbabwe, South Africa, Turkey, Niece, Italy, Canada, Paris, and Las Vages as a solo traveler. Maggie visited many countries and some more than once. Maggie was happy to travel with company but also by herself, and didn’t let the thought of danger keep her from seeing the places she wanted to see. Her trip to Zimbabwe coincided with Mugabe’s uprising, this saw Maggie having to leave the country via a border crossing to South Africa, rather than by her scheduled flight. There was concern her English Passport could have gotten her detained or worse at the airport. She had many adventures and even close calls on her travels, another one was whilst traveling with Cherie Irvine when they were held up in New York, during the 9/11 attacks, Maggie and Cherie were staying not far from the Twin Towers when they were hit. Despite all of these things Maggie didn’t lose the bug and continued her travels. Maggie was recently planning an adventure to Antarctica with Cindy, unfortunately though due to health reasons the trip never came to fruition.

Maggie loved to spend time at the beach and especially sun bathing. She would regularly take her lunch breaks up with Ria on the deck by Rias’ pool, sunbaking. Ria would make sure lunch was ready and the two would enjoy a meal and the sun out by the pool until it was time for Maggie to return to work. When it came to going to the beach it didn’t matter which one, so long as the sun was shining. Emily Bay was definitely a favorite however, and Maggie spent a lot of time there with her good friends Ria, Madelaine and Jan. Many summer days were spent watching all their kids at the beach while soaking up the sunshine. Once the kids were all grown and gone, Maggie still enjoyed spending time at the beach sunbaking with her close friends. You could guarantee that if the sun was out, garden tended and her jobs done; Maggie would grab a towel and call Ria, Mad or Jan, and head to the beach. She loved the Island and all it had to offer, not only the beaches but the natural beauty of the flora and fauna, this is reflected in the garden oasis she created in her valley at Rocky Point. In a conversation with Brett a few weeks ago, Maggie admitted that outside her Rocky Point Haven, Anson Bay, the place she first lived and worked, has always been her favorite part of the Island.

After Maggie retired, she worked part time at the museums and helping at the Government House open days. Maggie was also a great companion to Tiny Olsen and assisted her in her later years. However during her retirement, by far her favorite thing to do was spend time with her grandchildren, first Jack and then Jemima. Taking them both to the beach was always high on the agenda and the three of them loved every minute of it.

Maggie was a people person who made great friends with whoever she worked with or met and was one of those rare but beautiful people both inside and out. Everyone was welcome at Maggie’s and the kettle was always on, with a smile for all, she never had a bad word to say about anyone. For those that really knew Maggie, they knew that under the gentle exterior was an extremely strong and independent woman. She was completely selfless; always putting others needs before her own. Her children were always first, and she would always make time for her friends and those that may have needed her. She was so generous with her time and especially with those that had few family or friends around them. Giving her time and love freely, with no expectations, to those that needed it most. She will be sorely missed by all who were lucky enough to have been a part of her life.

Rest easy Maggie, until we all meet again.

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Thank You

The Bergagnin family would like to pass on the greatest thanks for the thoughtfulness presented to us during this difficult time.

A special thank you to Shane for giving mum such a beautiful spot, the grave diggers, Gavin and Vince, Tardy for driving the hearse, Gaye and the wreath makers, and everyone who donated all the beautiful flowers, Ria and Madeleine for decorating the mound, the pall bearers, David Buffett for the beautiful service, David McCowan for reading the eulogy, Brian and Sim for the music, Milton for the sound system, Toni for the service sheets, Sharee, Di and their girls for handing out the service sheets, the staff of the Norfolk Island hospital especially Dr Sam Jones and Kaye Evans for all they did for mum in her final months, people who have come from affar to support the family, Tony and Sarah from Castaway for hosting the wake.

To all our friends and family who have delivered food, called and dropped in, sent messages, all Maggies very close friends who have done so much, spent time with her and also supported us, we are truly grateful.