Dandenong doyen Jean Marriner has died ,age 85.By Shaun Inguanzo
DANDENONG is mourning the sudden death of a respected resident described as the ‘epitome’ of the community.
Jean Marriner, 85, died suddenly from an aneurism on Wednesday 30 July just two days after she attended a Greater Dandenong council meeting with husband Stuart and appeared to be in fine health.
Her son John, 61, this week said the family was grieving but coping with Mrs Marriner’s death because the family had been told that she may die from the aneurism one day.
“Doctors had told her they couldn’t do an operation or anything else about it,” he said.
The Marriners have lived in Dandenong for 49 years and were this year celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary.
Mrs Marriner, a qualified nurse, was best known for helping and speaking out on behalf of disadvantaged people.
More recently she was active with Residents Against Toxic Waste In The South East (RATWISE), a community group that had battled landfill giant SITA Environmental Solutions to prevent the Lyndhurst tip from receiving toxic waste.
Mr Marriner said his mum was not frightened to lobby for what she believed was right.
“Mum was manager of the medical centre at the General Motors factory in Dandenong and prior to coming to Dandenong, she used a lot of her nursing abilities to help the community and anyone who hurt or injured themselves.”
Mr Marriner said he recalled an open door policy in which people in need of help could come and seek it from the family home when they lived in the Otways, prior to settling in Dandenong.
Keysborough Ward councillor Roz Blades, who knew Mrs Marriner personally, described her as the epitome of the community.
“I would like to extend my deepest sympathy to Stuart and the family on the loss of Jean,” Cr Blades said.
“Jean was the epitome of our community in Greater Dandenong for a very long time.
“During the amalgamation of Greater Dandenong Council, the Marriners were there then as they are now supporting the community and I especially remember Jean’s marvellous pikelets, scones and our many conversations over the years.
“Jean Marriner certainly made a difference.”
Mrs Marriner’s funeral was held on Wednesday 5 August at Glen Waverley and her ashes will be scattered on rose beds in Springvale.
