President of the Rotary Club of Endeavour Hills John O’Reilly with his wife Lee who passed away last month, and children Kerry, Shaun, Kara and Janice.By Lia Bichel
IN LESS than 24 hours, the president of the Rotary Club of Endeavour Hills was hit with a double tragedy when he lost the love of his life and also a close friend.
In a heart-breaking week, John O’Reilly farewelled his wife of 45 years, Alesia Lorraine (Lee) (Nee Spirason) and friend and fellow Rotarian Lawrence (Laurie) Worsnop.
Laurie died from an aggressive brain tumour about 1.30pm on Monday 21 November at the age of 65.
Then about 3.30pm on Tuesday, Mr O’Reilly’s wife died following heart surgery at the age of 66.
Mr O’Reilly said the news of both deaths were devastating to him and the Rotary Club of Endeavour Hills.
“It’s been tough on the club, but everyone is very supportive and loving,” he said.
“I am lucky to be part of it.”
Mr O’Reilly was 17 when he first laid eyes on Lee and said he always knew she was “the one.”
The two did not start dating until two years later and, when she was 20 and he was 22, they married.
“We were great mates and a great team,” Mr O’Reilly said.
Together they travelled the world, had four children, a successful fashion business based in Dandenong and a beautiful home in Harkaway which Mrs O’Reilly designed and Mr O’Reilly built.
“She was a prodigious worker,” Mr O’Reilly said of his wife.
“She was a ‘have a red-hot-go girl’. She wasn’t scared of anything.”
Mr O’Reilly said his wife did not seek fame, but her excellent designs landed her numerous awards nationally and internationally, as well as accolades from her peers and retail buyers.
Mr O’Reilly was in charge of marketing her designs, but said his wife made his job easy.
“It was easy to sell her stuff,” Mr O’Reilly said.
“It was that good.”
Two of their children have since taken over the fashion business which now has a primary focus on corporate wear.
Following her success in the fashion industry, Mrs O’Reilly changed her focus to designing their beautiful home in Harkaway and creating a magnificent garden.
“She liked to conquer and move on,” Mr O’Reilly said.
Her determination was only one of her many admirable traits.
Mr O’Reilly said his wife had a great endurance and focus, she always sought the truth, she was a strong advocate for women’s right and she was extremely loyal.
Her strong will and determination was evident when she battled and beat bowel cancer and bladder cancer.
It was her big and gracious heart which she succumbed to.
Ms O’Reilly leaves behind her husband John, children Janice, Kerry, Shaun and Kara and 12 grandchildren, with one more on the way.
