Goya Dmytryshchak
’Melli’s Memorial Wall’ at Williamstown Beach has grown with flowers and other tributes amid a community outpouring at this month’s sudden death of global lacrosse legend Sue ‘Melli’ Sofarnos.
Her husband John and daughters Hayley and Jess have shared their agonising heartbreak after the Australian Women’s Team player and coach died unexpectedly on September 19.
The family has started the Sue Sofarnos Foundation in support of the Australian Women’s Team, which raised more than $100,000 in three days.
Jess shared on social media that she had lost her best friend, who shortly before had gone for her regular morning swim at her beloved Williamstown Beach.
She said her mum had parked her car to drop off flowers, chocolates and a card to her friend’s mother stuck inside because of COVID-19.
“Her last words to me, around 8.30am, was her telling me to check in on our family friends whose grandpa is now in palliative care,“ Jess said.
“For whatever reason, my mum didn’t make it out of the car.
“The flowers were still on the passenger seat.“
Jess said, “If anyone can take anything from this tragic, awful loss, it’s to be more like Sue.
“Be more open. Be more kind. Be more empathetic and compassionate. Do things for others ‘just because’. Tell the people around you that you love them, because you don’t know when they might be gone.
“She won’t be spoken of in the past tense because I know she’s still here with me, and she always will be.“
Hayley posted that when COVID-19 restrictions eased, her family would host “The Biggest Celebration of Her Life in Williamstown“.
“The Tribute Wall at Williamstown Beach is unbelievably amazing and to see so many messages, photos, flowers, Newport Ladies Lacrosse Club black and yellow ribbons, along with Australian Lacrosse colours and her beloved Carlton Football Club paraphernalia is overwhelming and truly fitting for our ’Melli’,“ she wrote.
Ms Sofarnos first picked up a lacrosse stick 49 years ago at age 10 and in January had been awarded an OAM for her service to the sport.
From Newport Ladies Lacrosse Club, Ms Sofarnos became one of the most decorated Australian lacrosse players and coaches in history and was general manager of the 2021 team set to compete in the World Lacrosse Women’s World Championship next summer in the US.
John shared that the family was “incredibly thankful and overwhelmed by the generosity, love and support of Sue’s legacy“ to raise nearly $80,000 in under 48 hours, guaranteeing a portion of players’ costs are now covered.
Ms Sofarnos in January had told Star Weekly her love for lacrosse stemmed from her aunt, ex Victorian netballer Jeannie Matthews.
“She was involved with the Newport lacrosse club and that’s why despite living in Williamstown all my life I’ve been a lifelong member, player, coach, administrator of Newport,“ she had said.
Newport Ladies Lacrosse Club thanked all who had contributed to the tribute wall.
“We’ve all benefited from having a place to visit, reflect and grieve, spend time with others and share memories and to find some comfort while we’re living with restrictions,“ it posted.
Mount St Joseph Girls’ College also mourned the passing of its former school’s sports co-ordinator of six years, remembering Ms Sofarnos as “a passionate and vibrant sports leader who loved nothing more than mentoring, encouraging and supporting the young women in our community“, one post read.
Lacrosse Victoria said very few people “touch a sport and a community so deeply“.
Australian Lacrosse Association said Ms Sofarnos’ “leadership and support of everyone was part of what she was and her care factor to those around her was unsurpassed.“
