“YOU were my favourite teachers and my precious friends,” said a former student from China.

“They were two of the kindest, most loving, caring and influential grandparents you could ever hope to have,” said one of Don and Gail Patterson’s grandchildren.”

The tributes flowed at the memorial service for former Korumburra residents Don and Gail Patterson, from across three continents, on a wet, gloomy day at the town’s recreation centre on Thursday.

But it was the outpouring from the couple’s grandchildren that really touched the hearts of the 600 or more members of the community who turned out to support the grieving Patterson family.

“Nanna used to read with me, and I loved cooking with her. Her orange cake was my favourite,” said another in a prepared recording, played against the backdrop of photos of Gail and Don sharing time with their littlest loved ones.

“I loved having salad sandwiches for lunch with your lovely home-made mayonnaise. Nanna and Poppa you were soooo kind.”

“Usually, when you get over the neighbours’ fence, it’s to get the footy or a ball but not with poppa. In our case it was to rescue a rocket that had gone astray… it’s why I love science.”

There were more heartfelt tributes of that kind from church, school and community leaders at the well-attended service, where Gail’s late sister Heather was also remembered. Prayers were offered for the recovery of Heather’s husband, Ian Wilkinson, who remains in hospital in Melbourne in a stable condition.

The service follows the death of three family members in unexplained circumstances following a family lunch in Leongatha on Saturday, July 29.

Police believe a meal containing death cap mushrooms may have been the cause.

But it was all about the contributions that Don and Gail have made to the community of Korumburra, how they’ve positively impacted the lives of many and what a loss they will be to their family; as brothers, sisters, parents and grandparents.

Anglican Minister Reverend Fran Grimes conducted the service on behalf of the other churches in the town, thanking the community on behalf of the family for the outpouring of support and love.

“It has been a trying and distressing time with the overwhelming media scrutiny making normal grief impossible.

“But I’d like to thank the community for what I have seen as shielding and protecting the family as much as possible, and refraining from the heartless speculation and gossip that we have seen elsewhere.”

“Long after the news cycle has ended, we will be here to look after each other,” said Reverend Grimes.

Don’s brother Colin spoke first on behalf of the family with a touching account of Don’s youth, and the early brilliance he showed as a maths/science student, ultimately completing a science degree at Melbourne University.

He said Don and his future wife Gail Young lived remarkably parallel early lives, both joining scouts and guides, both learning the piano, enjoying tennis and holidaying at Rosebud and Dromana, and meeting at Sunday School in Hughesdale in Melbourne’s inner east.

But it was Don and Gail’s son Simon who made an emotional tribute to his parents and their incredible lives which have left people grieving on three continents.

“Mum and dad were very much a team, working at life together, and the fact that they died on consecutive days was fitting somehow.”

Simon said he marvelled at his father’s health and fitness, demonstrated when he trekked with him to Everest basecamp in Don’s 60s.

“In fact, he was so fit at 70 that it allowed him to have an emergency liver transplant, although he ultimately died because of the damage already done to his body.”

He told mourners how Don initially gave up a science research and teaching career in Australia to carry out missionary and teaching work with Gail overseas, in Bostwanna and China, before ultimately moving to Korumburra where he taught at the secondary college for 25 years.

“We were home schooled in Botswana, mum getting lessons sent from Australia, and I always say I reached my academic peak in grade 4, which is no reflection on the teachers that followed but on mum’s ability as a teacher.”

He said his parents had a strong faith and it was a source of great comfort for the family that they firmly believed death was not final.

“It’s comforting to know that when we said ‘see you later’ in hospital, we meant it. The only thing is we don’t know when.”

Simon said he knew how much his parents loved him, and other family members, and he wasn’t at all surprised that Gail’s last text message to him from hospital was: “Lots of love to you all”.

Simon’s brother Matt read out tribute letters to his parents from people in China, Botswana, the UK and locally whose lives had been touched and enhanced by meeting with, living with and being taught by Don and Gail.

Many described the couple as the most capable, kindest and generous people they had ever met.

But the couple’s grandchildren made the most touching tributes of all saying in a prepared recording what they remember and will miss most about their loving and loved Nanna and Poppa.

Author and former Korumburra teacher, Richard Collyer, who shared 20 years teaching with Don, and a similar amount of time with Gail while she worked in the school office, paid tribute the couple’s professionalism and the high level of respect they were accorded by students, parents and staff alike.

While he focussed on Don’s ability as a teacher and school leader, at one point in 2006 serving as deputy principal, he said Gail played a crucial role in rebuilding the college’s records after the fire in 1993, ahead of the 50th anniversary in 2008.

The couple had been instrumental in establishing the school’s exchange program with China.

Sharon Hirst, spoke about her friend Gail and her involvements in the local community which were quietly extensive, ranging from hosting bible studies groups, to organising youth groups, community meals supplied through Milpara Community House, producing the Burra Flyer for the Korumburra Community Development and Action group, reading newspapers for the vision impaired and hosting many overseas visitors and new arrivals to Korumburra over the years.

On a personal note, she said Don and Gail helped her manage the farm while her husband Frank was in hospital and were often seen in town catching up with their many friends and acquaintances.

“A very caring and lovely person, a kind and wise lady,” she said.

“She was loved by us all and will be greatly missed but we know we will meet together again in God’s care.”

A tune by Bob Dylan, “Death Is Not the End” rounded out the service.

Throughout the service local musicians Terry Lay and Andrew and Liz Fremantle led the memorial service in a number of rousing hymns, raising community voices and spirits.