Mary Cocks - who lived in Eden for 81 of her 91 years - died in Pambula Hospital on Friday, April 21, 2017.
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Born in Cobargo on May 25, 1925, Mary was the eldest daughter of Eileen and Vincent (Barney) Welsh.
The family moved to Eden in 1935 and Mary attended St Joseph's Convent School Eden where she met her future husband, Lloyd Cocks. Later she became the first student to complete an Intermediate Certificate at St Vincent’s College, Sydney.
Mary and Lloyd were married in Eden at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church in 1953. They had three children, Stephen, Maryanne and Damien, and eight grandchildren. In the Magnet last year Mary and Lloyd attributed their long and happy lives to a love of Eden and love for each other.
Mary fought for women's rights and led the cause by example in the fields of business, politics and community service. Her family owned the Hotel Eden, now the Great Southern Hotel, and in 1951 she became the second woman in NSW to obtain a publican's licence. She was secretary of LW and CK Cocks, started by Lloyd and his brother Cedric in 1948.
She joined the Eden branch of the CWA in 1953, and over her 63 year-long membership would hold every officer bearer's role; she became the first woman to sit on the Eden Fishermen's Recreation Club board of directors. In 1975 she founded and became president of TREES, the Truthful Reporting of Eden's Environment and Surroundings; she also served as a Bega Valley Shire councillor. She was named Apex Citizen of the Year in 1979 and was honoured with an Order of Australia in 1995.
She organised the Combined Churches’ Debutante Ball, training debutantes and partners for more than 30 years. She worked tirelessly for the Imlay Special Needs and Meals on Wheels, and in her latter years knitted beanies for troops in Afghanistan.
Mary was the eldest of seven children, three of whom are still living. Monica Woods will remember her sister as a woman of deep faith and a great organiser with an infectious laugh. Social Justice Advocate John Liston said Mary left an "amazing legacy of good".