EULOGY - Marguerite Mary Joyce Adam (Honey) - 1931-2023

Marguerite Mary Joyce Adam (or Honey as she became known) was born in Australia on the 7^th October 1931. Honey had a privileged and unusual upbringing that gave her many opportunities beyond the norm.

Her father’s work in the New Hebrides (now known as Vanuatu) for the British - French condominium government meant the family often travelled between Brisbane and New Hebrides on the Burns Philp cargo ships referred to in those times as steamers. The delivery of freight to Norfolk was often an opportunity for passengers to spend a day or two off the ship, and it was through these stopovers that the family came to know Norfolk, and ultimately Honey’s parents chose to retire to Norfolk’s milder sub-tropical climate shortly after World War 2, with Honey finishing her schooling (both high school and further education) in Brisbane before coming to live here.

Honey had endless stories to tell about her adventures and the war years in the New Hebrides, where she roamed unfettered, and continued in a similar manner throughout her adult life on Norfolk Island.

Honey was schooled in Brisbane, staying with her aunt and uncle in the Manly/ Wynnum coastal area on Moreton Bay. Upon completion of her schooling, Honey returned to Norfolk where she adapted to island life with swimming, fishing and gardening being major interests and pastimes.

In 1961 Honey married Phil McCoy and witnessed first-hand as he designed and built the launches and lighters that went on to perform Norfolk’s ship to shore freight transfers for many decades. Phil pre deceased Honey in August 1975.

Honey’s early years as an expatriate child in a foreign setting had a significant impact that shaped her approach to life. Despite the example set by her orderly parents, Honey had a cavalier approach to her work, home and family that many saw as free spirited, and a somewhat non-conformist rebel.

Before her eyesight started to be an issue, Honey was a keen botanical sketcher and landscape painter. She had a good knowledge of Norfolk ecology and was never happier than when she was roaming around out at Phillip Island or resting under a shady tree down at Bumby.

Honey refined the art of stubbornness, and her ears were finely tuned to filter out anything she didn’t want to hear – and to hear anything she shouldn’t! Some 11 years back at around 80 years old she found a large marine buoy on the rocks at Bomboras, it weighed some 40-50 kilos and was as big as a 44-gallon drum. She not only rolled it off the rocks, but up the Bumby Road to make sure she got it home.

Any summary of Honey’s life would not be complete without mentioning her passion for dogs – Honey has had dogs since those early years in the New Hebrides and continued to have them up until her illness and hospitalisation in November last year, even then visits from the last two Staffys she owned were demanded.,

Honey’s free-spirited approach to life will be remembered for many years to come….

THANK YOU

The family of the late Honey McCoy extend their deepest appreciation to all who have assisted Honey, particularly in these last six months of her illness, to her long time friend and support Annette Stolz, to the doctors, nurses, to the wreathe makers, to the aged care co-ordinator, to Aiden and crew at Care Norfolk, to Rossco and Gaelene, to the Rev. Laurie Carleton for his visits to Honey and for his role in the funeral service, to those who have done so much in these last few days, to the two amigos who spent much time with her towards the end, to the Sexton Shane Quintal, to the grave diggers who endured through the cold, rain and wind, to the pall bearers as they give of their time and efforts, to Darlene and to Milton for co-ordinating the music and sound system for her funeral and to all those who have come forward to help in so many ways.