We created a GatheringUs memorial to celebrate the life of Louise Voets. Collecting your stories and memories here will offer us great comfort. Click on the heart to let us know you were here and to receive email updates. Thank you for contributing to this lasting memorial.
OBITUARY
Louise passed away on February 16, 2021 at the age of 71 after a long battle with cancer, with her loving daughter by her side. Louise was defined by her strength, fierce independence & utter selflessness. She loved providing care and guidance to others through her friendship and spiritual teachings. Louise had a passion for design and creativity, whether she was building guitar cases for the family business or hand making clothes and... see moreLouise passed away on February 16, 2021 at the age of 71 after a long battle with cancer, with her loving daughter by her side.
Louise was defined by her strength, fierce independence & utter selflessness. She loved providing care and guidance to others through her friendship and spiritual teachings.
Louise had a passion for design and creativity, whether she was building guitar cases for the family business or hand making clothes and accessories to sell at Paddington markets, she was never afraid to learn a new skill.
Another one of her passions was gardening. She had an incredible ability to turn any old clump of dirt into a lush veggie patch, leaving behind a trail of gardens every time she moved house.
She was a lover of everything esoteric. Most of her life centred around Reiki healing, card readings & learning about Native American culture. She loved a cheeky glass of vino, a good party and will always be known as 'the cool mum' to all of her daughters friends.
Anyone who’s met Louise can speak to her incredible strength, not many people can recover from emergency brain surgery after being diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. She unapologetically exceeded the expectations of her doctors and acquired the nickname “A medical miracle”, a title she may very well of given herself but definitely earned.
Louise was a beautiful, kind and selfless soul with a big heart bursting with love for others. The world might feel smaller without her in it, but we are all better for knowing her.
I shared a good friendship with Louise, a sister of the heart. Her connection and respect of Spirit reflected in many ways, her love of Mother Earth was wholesome and true, her love of daughter was a story of true... moreTo Cian, family and friends of Louise,
I shared a good friendship with Louise, a sister of the heart. Her connection and respect of Spirit reflected in many ways, her love of Mother Earth was wholesome and true, her love of daughter was a story of true love of the kindness and purity only a mother knows.
I bow before you Louise, may your life of courage, kindness, generosity and internal wisdom be an inspiration to others.
Louise, may your family and friends know peace and love, and may their lives reflect the radiant sparks of lights that they are, shine beloved, shine.
I feel like I only knew Lou a short time, but looking back, it turns out it's almost 14 years since we first crossed paths.
Cian and I were working together in a bar in 2007 when we met and became friends. One night soon after we were hanging out back... moreI feel like I only knew Lou a short time, but looking back, it turns out it's almost 14 years since we first crossed paths.
Cian and I were working together in a bar in 2007 when we met and became friends. One night soon after we were hanging out back at Cian's place watching terrible movies and drinking red wine when Lou came in and gave me one long look as if sizing me up, at which point I made some terrible joke and just like that we were friends.
One thing I'll never forget about Lou was that she always made you feel welcome, but didn't accept bullshit. She helped to host some incredible parties at their house in Glebe, never once minding the noise until early hours of the morning, but if you thought you could come over for dinner and not clean up your plates then you were in for a shock!
I don't think Lou ever missed sending me a birthday message, a Christmas message or a Happy New Year. Despite the fact that we knew each other through Cian, I always felt welcome and loved, and Lou was one of the best huggers around! Every time we were in the same place she never missed a chance to stop and say hi, have a chat and catch up on what was happening in my life.
Her smile and her energy were infectious and you always felt better for having spent time together, and even when she got her diagnosis she never let that get in the way of the charismatic life force that exuded from her.
We'll miss you always, and the world is a little dimmer without you.
Love,
Derek less
Lou held a special nook in my heart. She was always there, overflowing with love, knowledge and generosity. I am proud to have known her for so many years and call her my friend.
The first time I met Lou, Cian and I were bonding over our love of the... moreLou held a special nook in my heart. She was always there, overflowing with love, knowledge and generosity. I am proud to have known her for so many years and call her my friend.
The first time I met Lou, Cian and I were bonding over our love of the best trashiest B Grade vampire romance, True Blood. She welcomed me into her home with a beautiful big smile, a warm hug and her two little dogs running between our legs. She offered me a glass of wine as we chattered on about life, crystals and got to know each other.
Lou was someone who was always easy to talk and relate to, she would speak of the spiritual world and how our paths were meant to meet, diverge and inevitably meet again. I remember all the times, she laughed at Cian and I surviving our adventures (or misadventures) but it was always in loving jest, knowing that we would always be okay in the end because we had each other.
The day Andy and Cian got married, I felt very privileged sitting next to Lou. I had the honour of holding Lou's hand, giving her cuddles whilst we witnessed her daughter marry the man she loved. Throughout the whole ceremony, she was unable to take her eyes off the two of the most important people in her life. I know she treasured this memory above many others. The picture below is of Lou, moments before the celebrant announced Andy and Cian as husband and wife.
The last time I saw Lou, she was still her vibrant self- ever beautiful and charming. Much like many of our memories, we sat together and enjoyed each other's company and food - a veggie omelette, brownies and wine. She spoke of her life, her family and how much she loved Cian and Andy. Because of Covid, we hadn't seen each other for many months. One of the last things she ever said to me was how I looked exactly as I did when she first met me all those years ago and how much she loved me. I will never forget that.
Lou will always be my other mother and so much love will always be reserved for her. She may not be with us in the physical world, but she is with us in our memories, in spirit and ever present as we make new ones. Love you Lou xoxo less
Here are some of my memories of the beautiful Lou.
I loved spending time with Cian and Lou as a kid. Lou was always very welcoming and always gave me a big hug, she made me feel at home whenever I visited.
I remember staying with Cian and Lou at... moreHere are some of my memories of the beautiful Lou.
I loved spending time with Cian and Lou as a kid. Lou was always very welcoming and always gave me a big hug, she made me feel at home whenever I visited.
I remember staying with Cian and Lou at their home in the bush, somewhere around Bellingen. Cian and I had a fabulous time sitting in the cool water of an outside bathtub and singing loudly. Lou would encourage our play, check if we wanted anything, and give us lots of time to hang out. Time never felt rushed.
Another time, a tiny firetail finch visited Cian and Lou’s garden and sat in the palm of Cian’s hand for a long while. Lou was very impressed and said that the finch was drawn to Cian. I think Lou’s love and appreciation of animals and nature reinforced to me how important these things are.
I remember Lou had a great old van, she had decorated the dashboard with all manner of crystals, feathers, rocks and dried flowers. I missed Cian so much when Cian and Lou moved away from Bellingen. I was excited when I knew they were coming to visit, I waited impatiently, hoping they would come around the corner. The sight of their van pulling up in our driveway made me super happy.
It was always an adventure visiting Cian and Lou on the community land near Kempsey. Mum and I would drive down, along dusty old roads. If I remember correctly, once our car either broke down, or maybe a causeway was flooded, preventing us from getting to their land. We had to park further away and walk in, reaching their land at dusk. We stayed in the teepee and Lou told us funny stories of marauding possums, Lady getting into mischief, and chickens escaping the chook yard. I was also fascinated by the idea of a spirit quest, which Lou explained. I thought she was very brave to spend a whole night alone in the bush in the darkness. I liked the idea of her finding the perfect spot, where the energy felt just right.
When I moved to Sydney, I hardly knew anyone. I can’t even tell you how much it meant to me to reconnect with Cian and Lou. A nice memory I have from the Glebe days is of Lou excitedly beckoning me to climb through the window onto the roof, to appreciate their new sitting spot, “Look how good this is!” she said. More recently in Canterbury, Lou showed me some feather decorations she had made. I was admiring them and she said, “Go on! Choose one you like. You can have one.” I have this in my lounge room, and it’s a lovely reminder of Lou. I loved seeing all her feathers and beautiful crystals and jewellery. I also have a nice memory of Lou in the garden, maybe about a year ago, she was showing us her plants and you could tell she was in her element.
It was so wonderful that Lou could attend Cian and Andy’s recommitment ceremony. I had a really sweet conversation with her there, in the afternoon sunshine. We talked about Cian and Andy, funny stories from when Cian and Andy first started dating, special spiritual moments for her and important things in life. I also absolutely loved her outfit, she rocked an amazing tie-dye cardigan and red dress. I hope I can look that cool when I get older!
Lou loved Cian with all her heart, she was always there for Cian, and Cian would do anything to help and support Lou. I think it’s pretty amazing that Lou fought cancer for 3 years, when the initial prognosis was saying only a fraction of that time. I think the love and care she got from Cian and Andy would have meant a huge amount to Lou. Lou was a strong, resilient, creative and warm person, and I was lucky to have known her. She will be sorely missed. less
Grace Yuen
Thank you for posting up all these amazing photos of your mum! It's a small glimpse into your mum's very full life of adventures! Also LOVE her hair <3