Bereavements – 2026

Salvation Army officers and other personnel who have suffered the recent loss of a loved one:

We extend our heartfelt love and prayers to Colonel Mark Watts and Majors Gavin and Wendy Watts on the passing of their dearly loved father, Colin Watts, on Sunday 29 March 2026. Colin was reunited with his Lord just 19 days after the passing of his beloved wife, Rosemarie. Colin was also a devoted father to Ashley, a much loved Pa to Josh (and Brigitta) and Sarah (and Matt), a brother-in-law to Commissioner Earle Maxwell, and a cherished uncle to his nieces and nephews. ‌We give thanks for Colin’s life and the enduring legacy he leaves behind. We rejoice in the assurance that he is now free from pain and resting in the presence of his Maker. We pray that God’s peace, love, and comfort will surround the family during this time of deep loss.

‌‌Our thoughts and prayers are with Major Steve Dorman and his family following the passing of his beloved father, Leslie Dorman, who passed away on Monday 30 March 2026. Leslie will be fondly remembered as a devoted father to Majors Steve and Petra Dorman, Lawrence Dorman and Terese Dorman, a cherished grandfather to five grandchildren, and a treasured great grandfather to six great grandchildren. His funeral service will be held on 10 April 2026.

‌Major Linda Willing is bereaved following the unexpected passing of her youngest brother, David Willing, in Cowra. David’s funeral service was held on Wednesday 8 April 2026. Please keep Linda and her family in your thoughts and prayers during this time of loss.

‌‌We share with sadness that Divisional Envoy Christine Jameson is bereaved of her husband, Divisional Envoy Michael Jameson, who was Promoted to Glory on Saturday 21 February 2026, aged 94 years. We give thanks for his faithful life and service and continue to uphold Christine in our prayers.

‌We extend our love and deepest sympathies to Major Aaron Stobie, Captain Ronald Stobie, Captain Lauren Stobie, Captain Amy Stobie, and their families following the loss of their beloved Nana, Mrs Melva Stobie, on Tuesday 17 March 2026. Promoted to Glory in New Zealand at the age of 97, Melva was a devoted mother of 6 (including Mr Brett Stobie), grandmother to 12, and great‑grandmother to 17. Our prayers and care surround the Stobie family at this sad and significant time.

Lieut-Colonel Lyn Edge was bereaved of her father, Eric Edge, who was promoted to Glory on Thursday 26 February 2026. Our love and prayers surround Lyn and Terry and the whole family at this sad time. May they each know God’s deep comfort, strength, and peace in these tender days, and feel upheld by the care and love of their Salvation Army family as they grieve and remember a dearly loved father.

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‌We extend our love and prayers to Colonel Mark Watts and Majors Gavin and Wendy Watts following the passing of their beloved mother, Rosemarie Watts, on 10 March 2026. Rosemarie was the dearly loved wife of Colin, mother of Ashley, Nana to Josh and Sarah, sister to Commissioner Earle Maxwell, and a cherished aunt to her nieces and nephews. We give thanks to God for Rosemarie’s life and the lasting impact she made. We rejoice in the assurance that she is now safely in the arms of Jesus, and we pray that the family will know God’s peace, which surpasses all understanding, during this time of sorrow.

Our thoughts and sympathies are with Commissioner Cheralynne Pethybridge, Major Greg Pack and Mrs Roslyn Eades at the recent loss of their mum, sister Colleen Pack who passed away on Wednesday 21 January 2026 (two months short of her 90th birthday). Colleen was a grandmother of Captain Matt Pethybridge, much loved wife of Gordon (deceased), Mother in Law of their spouses, Grandma to 13 grandchildren and Great Grandma to 11. She will be incredibly missed but her Godly influence remains in those who knew and loved her. 

Our thoughts and sympathies are with Captain Fleur Hodge at the recent loss of her Dad, Peter Hodge, who passed away on Tuesday 3rd February. Our deepest love and prayers surround Fleur and her family at this very sad time. A service of Thanksgiving and Celebration of Peter’s life will be held at 10am on Saturday 21 February at Adelaide Congress Hall.

Lieut-Colonel Cheryl Carpenter’s father, Neville Lane, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday 24 December. Please uphold Cheryl and the family in prayer during this time.

Major Sue Smith has suffered the bereavement of her mother Hazel Sanger. Hazel was a soldier of Port Macquarie Corps for many years. Please pray that Sue will keenly experience the presence of the Holy Spirit's comfort at this time.  

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‌We extend our heartfelt love and prayers to Major Andrew Walton following the recent passing of his mother, Mrs Elizabeth Walton. Elizabeth was dearly loved as the wife of Ken, mother to Craig and Andrew, and grandmother to Anjali and Nishie. A service of thanksgiving for her life will be held at Ringwood Corps on Thursday 22 January. As we give thanks for Elizabeth’s life and the impact she had, we pray that the family will experience God’s peace that surpasses all understanding during this time of mixed emotions.