6 days ago
Hundreds mourn Eileen Bond, ex-wife of controversial businessman Alan Bond, at Fremantle funeral
Hundreds of friends and family members have farewelled Eileen Bond, the first wife of controversial Perth business tycoon Alan Bond.
Ms Bond, fondly known as "Red", died after a stroke earlier this month, aged 87.
She was remembered as someone who lived life to the fullest and could make everyone feel special.
Mourners gathered for her funeral at St Patrick's Basilica in Fremantle, the town where she was born and raised with her four brothers and sisters.
As her son John Bond said in his eulogy, with her "fiery red hair and personality to match" she quickly became known as "Red".
"Red's life seems to me best summed up by words beginning with the letter F. If any of you immediately thought of a four-letter expletive she was known to utter, you should now say a Hail Mary," he said to laughter from those in the church.
She and her then husband Alan were at the centre of massive national celebrations when his sailing team won the America's Cup in 1983.
She became like a mother to the crew, John Bond said, and managed to charm the "great aristocratic families" in the United States as the sailing grace progressed.
"Red had an incredible knack of being able to befriend anybody at any time, in any circumstances," he said.
"She was vitally interested in people's lives, and I think that was the key."
He said his mother made everyone feel special and could relate to people of all ages.
"The house was always open, the fire was on, and the champagne was always flowing. She was everyone's grandma, mother, auntie or just dear friend. Age was simply an irrelevant label to her," he said.
Among those at the funeral were Ms Bond's cousin, the high-profile car dealer John Hughes, former South Fremantle Football Club great Stephen Michael, and former premier Richard Court.
In his homily, Father Christian Fini spoke of her "remarkable life, spirit and joy for living".
"Red is more than a nickname for Eileen, it is a powerful metaphor and symbol for her legacy as a much-loved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, family member, dear friend to many and Australian icon," he said.
Ms Bond was the number one ticket holder for the South Fremantle Football Club for more than 20 years.
John Bond said she was still going to the footy right until the end, and living her life in the only speed that she knew: fast.
"She lived life to the full," he said.
"In the last week of her life, she had bought a new Balenciaga outfit for lunch at Chez Pierre on Thursday, gone to the footy on Saturday, was due at our place for lunch on Sunday, but sadly never arrived.
