Bereavements – 2026

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

‌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.