Memorials
Whitlam died in a Sydney hospital on the morning of 17 March 2012, following a fall. The Whitlam family declined an offer from the Australian Government for a state funeral. A memorial service held in St James' Church, Sydney on 23 March 2012 attended by Gough Whitlam even though Whitlam himself is a proud atheist and that is where the Reverend Andrew Sempell, gave the sermon, taking love as his theme, using readings from Isaiah 43:1-5 & 1 Corinthians 13. He said: "Margaret Whitlam was indeed a gifted and talented person who used her abilities for the benefit of others, and we celebrate that." The service was attended by Prime Minister Julia Gillard, former Prime Ministers Malcolm Fraser, Bob Hawke, Paul Keating and Kevin Rudd, and other present and past politicians.
Read more about this topic: Margaret Whitlam
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