Page 6 - Gwen Landsberry - Eulogies

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Gwennie’s Eulogy

by Belinda Landsberry
(daughter-in-law)

Hello, I’m Belinda Landsberry; David’s wife and Gwennie’s daughter-in-
law.

Her name was Gwendoline Irene Landsberry, nee O’Brien. But I knew,
and loved her, as Gwennie.
On a glorious sunny Sunday in August 1980, I met my future husband,
David, at a barbecue in Mosman. He offered me a lift home, despite
being well over the legal limit...and without a car.

Undaunted, David delivered us back to his place in High St, Willoughby
where I was promptly introduced to his parents, Gwen and Alf.

It was late and Gwen had just finished making lamingtons. She was quick
to offer me one.

As I’d been knocking back my fair share of Ben Ean Moselle all day… and
more than my fair share of Southern Comfort Coolers, perhaps Gwennie
knew I was in desperate need of some good old fashioned home
cooking.

I was… but I also had a desperate need to hide my inebriated state from
David’s friendly and welcoming parents…though I have a hunch my
calamitous zig-zagging down their hallway and over-zealous greeting
blew my cover.
As it turned out, my future mother-in-law wasn’t just famous for her
cooking, she was legendary.

David and I were incredibly fortunate to see Gwennie just hours before
she passed and the last thing we did, was to give her a running
commentary on her famously compiled, edited and printed-thanks-to-
Rob cookbook.

As David and I read to her aloud, we saw Gwennie’s face light up as she
was transported back to her beloved kitchen…
So, forgive me if I liken Gwennie to some of the good old fashioned food
she used to make.

Gwennie was lamingtons. Not that she was square. She wasn’t. She was
sweet and classic and undeniably Australian.
Gwennie was Lemon Delicious. Soft and fluffy on the outside but with a
zesty zing beneath.

Gwennie was Nutty Brown Pudding. Warm and comforting… and
surrounded by nuts!