Remembering our mum

Last month we lost our mum, Rosa, to cancer. In reflecting on her life, we’ve been thinking a lot about how her spirit and values have helped to shape who we and our kids have become.

All the positive attributes that we have and all the good that we contribute to this world is because of her.

We wanted to share this with our For Purpose community because its one of the ways that we can honour her memory. We also think it’s really great advice.

So, here are some of our mum’s pieces of advice.

Say hello to strangers

Going anywhere with us or any of our siblings is never a straight-forward activity. If another human is in close proximity – sure enough before the end of the lift, ride, bus trip or the waiting in line – we will know who they are, what they’re up to and maybe even they’re life’s purpose.

This all came from our Mum. She would tell us that we should stop and say hello to everyone. Her reasoning was simple. She said you never knew what kind of day a person was having and that the one thing you say to them could make a real difference in their lives.

Celebrate people

Mum taught us to celebrate people – their achievements, their abilities and their birthdays (especially by singing Happy Birthday out of tune).

When we were kids, mum came to absolutely everything that we were involved in. All of our assemblies, our public speaking, sports carnivals, concerts, plays and musicals.  She never missed a moment to show us how proud she was of us.

When we started to have kids, mum would travel across the country and even internationally to be at their birthdays, first days of school and events.

We’d often hear her telling our friends and partners that they are number one and can do anything that they put their mind to. She was great at delivering pep talks.

Mum loved a celebration. When she found out her cancer was terminal, she asked us to plan a party for her closest friends and family. She also had serious FOMO or fear of missing out – she was never going to miss the celebration of her life.

We’ve all inherited this FOMO!

Show people kindness

Mum was big on kindness. ‘Why are we on this earth for if we don’t do kind things?’ she would say.

Mum’s kindness was legendary. She treated everyone the same. She always had time for everyone, and she had this gift of making everyone feel special and welcome.

She taught us to show kindness in any way we could, by striking up a conversation, helping people who are going through hard times and celebrating people.

Laugh and fill rooms with laughter

Mum loved to laugh, loved making people laugh and loved when rooms were filled with laughter.

Even when she was so sick and nearing the end of her life – she would tell people who visited that they weren’t allowed to cry – just to laugh. She would often say that she loved the sound of her children laughing and one of her favourite things was to hear all of us together in fits of laughter.

She said that we should always laugh and try and make others laugh.

Be curious and embrace learning

Mum was curious and always seeking to learn.

Mum was also passionate about our education and instilling in us a lifelong passion for learning. When she couldn’t cover our school fees – she volunteered by covering books or cleaning the school to cover tuition. She did such a great job that she ended up getting employed as a cleaner at the primary school for many years. She loved that job so much and loved being part of that community.

Even though mum couldn’t read or write herself, she would sit with us so patiently and work through our school work. She was always so patient with each of us and would help us in the best way she could – through being with us and encouraging us.

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It really, really sucks to lose our mum. We hope that by sharing this, we can help to honour her memory.

Caterina and Connie Giorgi, Partners, For Purpose

2 September 2025