Hayat Francis was a loved, hard-working member of the community and the laneway which will bear her name.
Mrs Francis passed away on November 20 last year and the impact she had on the community was evident with the huge gathering at her funeral.
She operated Sympathy Funerals with her husband John for more than 20 years and was well known for helping out less fortunate families who could not afford a proper funeral and “donated from her own” to make sure they received a dignified funeral – but she did so much more for her community.
A request by Cr Steve Christou to have the lane named after her, was unanimously supported at the last council meeting and approval will be sought from the NSW Geographical Naming Board.
Cr Christou was approached by Mrs Francis’ family and the community with the request and was “astonished by what she had achieved” since arriving from Lebanon.
“This lady volunteered her time to Meals on Wheels, JP services, visited local aged care facilities and hospitals providing comfort to the sick and dying and also, along with her husband, ran Sympathy Funerals,” he said.
“She devoted her life to not just being a great mother and wife, but a great community member… she had a big heart.
“She wanted to make the area and community where she lived a better place.”
Husband John was appreciative of the proposal and during a short but emotional talk to councillors, said that his wife was a “beautiful lady, a good person”, but humble about what she achieved and how she helped her community.
