Fashion and community – a lasting legacy
MAVIS Ileen Rafter was known as a beloved Rosewood community member who had a warm personality, a great sense of humour and an unwavering dedication to fashion and community service.
Mavis was born on March 6, 1928 in Hawthorne, Brisbane.
Her first job was at McWhirter’s in Fortitude Valley where she started in the advertising department folding pamphlets.
Mavis eventually moved to the fashion department, where her style and friendly demeanour quickly made her a favourite among the customers.
In 1950, she married Leslie John Long. Together they had four children, Diane, Leslie, Paul, and Judith.
Leslie was a policeman, and they lived in Townsville, Albion, Landsborough and Texas before finally settling in Rosewood in 1966.
Mavis enjoyed sports, playing basketball during her school years and then bowls throughout her married life.
After the breakdown of their marriage, Mavis continued to live in Rosewood, then in 1978, she married Pat Rafter, and the couple eventually became actively involved in the Blue Nurses shop in Rosewood as volunteers.
Mavis dedicated more than 20 years of her life to the Blue Nurses shop. It was dear to her heart and she loved interacting with the customers.
Her warm and friendly nature made her a favourite among the regulars and even after retiring from the shop, Mavis continued to visit every Thursday morning, where she held court and regaled everyone with her stories and laughter.
In her later years, Mavis resided at an aged care facility in Toowoomba, her spirit and memory continued to touch the lives around her.
Her unwavering dedication to fashion, community service and her warm and caring nature will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
Mavis was a beloved member of the Rosewood community, whose legacy will live on in the heart and minds of those whose lives she touched.
