By Tammie Carter, Mavis’ granddaughter and RetireAustralia’s General Manager – Sales & Marketing
On 3rd May 2016, my grandmother, Mavis Gannon, passed away peacefully at home in the company of her loving family after battling lung cancer for three years.
As innovators in the retirement village industry, Mavis and her husband Tom built and managed leading retirement villages across regional Victoria and New South Wales and South Australia.
In 2007, RetireAustralia acquired nine Gannon Estate villages and are proud to own and manage them to this day:
- Boambee Gardens – Sawtell, NSW
- Glengowrie – Glengowrie, SA
- Lincoln Grove – Port Lincoln, SA
- Murray Gardens – Albury, NSW
- Riverina Gums – Wagga Wagga, NSW
- Scarborough Mews – Somerton Park, SA
- Spring Grove – Klemzig, SA
- The Laurels – Mount Barker, SA
- Torrens Grove – Kilkenny, SA
Mavis was an industry matriarch, a visionary leader and an insightful mentor to many people.
Her warm smile would always light up a room and she had an amazing ability to connect with everyone she met. Mavis always treated everyone as she expected to be treated and loved sharing village events with residents: morning teas, theme dinners and most of all, happy hour.
Mavis’ key focus and philosophy was building and creating desirable retirement communities where residents could experience a wonderful lifestyle within a beautiful yet affordable environment.
The needs and desires of all residents and staff motivated and inspired everything Mavis achieved throughout her long and successful career, and it’s comforting to know that her sons Tom and Michael continue to spread this positive philosophy and build her legacy today.
I am so proud to have had the wonderful opportunity to be mentored and taught by Mavis over the years and it warms my heart to visit Gannon villages and talk to the residents and staff who were fortunate enough to know her. An amazing woman who touched so many people has slipped away, but her legacy will always remain.
