Biography

Wendy Cowell (nee Murgatroyd) 1939-2014 was born in Launceston, 20 minutes after her twin sister Val on 1^st October 1939 to Clarence and Marie Murgatroyd. The twins had three elder brothers, Harry, Jim and Arthur and sister Marie, and later they were joined by a younger sister, Joan.

Wendy told friends of her early school years and being held back a grade for being left-handed - this was the done thing in those days.  As was typical of Wendy, she later saw this as a positive - it allowed her and Val to have their own identity but still enjoy the specialness of being a twin.

Aged 15, a major turning point for Wendy was the death of her mother from leukaemia. She left school without completing high school to look after her father and the rest of the family - to care for the people she loved most.

She found employment at health fund MBF, and in 1963, married Trevor, who served as assistant curate at St. John's from 1962 to 1966 before being appointed to the parish of Stanley. Wendy and Trevor had two sons, Stuart and Andrew before they separated and Wendy and the boys moved back to Launceston. The tumult, happiness and deep sadness of those times were defining for Wendy and her family.

As a single mother in the early 1970s, Wendy faced challenges in finding a home and rebuilding her life. The support of family and friends enabled her to buy a house, 'Fronsley' in Brougham Street, West Launceston, interestingly previously owned by former churchwarden of St John’s, Frederick Cookman. She loved gardening and spent hours landscaping and over time, was able to modernise and make renovations to the house to suit the family’s needs.

Wendy embraced a life of service to others, participating as a volunteer phone befriender and often using her excellent dressmaking skills to make wedding dresses and bridesmaid dresses, often without a pattern. She enjoyed entertaining friends and family - her catering skills were not to be missed! Alongside this, she brought up and nurtured her sons, providing for their needs and taking them on regular holidays to Orford and Bicheno.

Wendy contributed significantly to parish life at St John’s, catering, flowers arranging and as a parish councillor, Quamby Cottage co-ordinator, sidesperson and greeter and bible reader to mention but a few areas of her involvement. 

She continued to serve the public through her work at MBF, particularly at a small agency in the Fitzgeralds building (now Harris Scarfe), known and loved by so many of the customers. She remained close to many of her MBF and Fitzgeralds colleagues even after her retirement. They had helped care for her family, and provided a source of constant support throughout her life. 

She continued to give of herself throughout her life and this was recognised by the Rotary Club of Launceston when she and Val were acknowledged as Paul Harris Fellows. Her eulogy states that “Wendy was the embodiment of the Parable of the Talents - seemingly giving of her last to so many people.”

Her daughters-in-law Louise and Melissa were very special to her, and she loved her grandchildren, Ashleigh, Brayden and Jordan deeply and travelled far and wide to spend time with them - they were a constant source of joy and pride.

Wendy, when asked what her hopes were for her family, said “Just go for it, live your life, think of others and not cause others to stumble. Be true to yourself and remember you can’t always make everyone happy. Be a glass half full person.”

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