of Dapto
Passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday 18th March 2026. Beloved wife of Terry. Only child of Gabriel and Manda Halili. Loved daughter-in-law of Tom and Dorothy Coleman. Maria will be sadly missed by her loving family and many dear friends.
Maria was happiest when out and about connecting with nature and photographing birds
Aged 62 Years
A life well lived
We will miss your smiling face, a special person no one can replace
Relatives and friends are invited to attend Maria’s funeral service to be held at Mary Queen Of Croats Catholic Church, 7-9 Bellevue Road Figtree on Tuesday 7th April 2026 at 11am.
Funeral Details
Date & Time
11:00 am, Tue 7 April 2026Venue
Mary Queen of Croats Catholic Church, 7-9 Bellevue Rd, Figtree, New South Wales 2525, AUView on Google Maps
Funeral Director
H.Parsons Funeral Directors
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Funeral Director
H.Parsons Funeral Directors
100% Australian, H.Parsons has been serving the NSW South Coast since 1893.(02) 4228 9622
info@hparsons.com.au
34 Belmore St, Wollongong, New South Wales 2500
http://www.hparsons.com.au
Dear Maria was always a lovely friendly person who, along with Terry was party of the ‘Table of Knowledge’ at Rivergum Lodge.
Many a laugh was had as we debated and often solved the world’s problems over cheese, dips, crackers and might I add a bevy or three.
She is, I’m sure at Heavenly ‘Table of Knowledge’ with Rocket and Darkside and awaiting us all, one by one as we are re united once again….
Till then, may you soar with the angels.
RIP Maria.
Maria your smile and laughter will be with us always .RIP Maria
My thoughts are with you Terry, Maria certainly was a lovely friendly person a keen birder certainly enjoyed the outdoors. Her photography was amazing. Rest in Peace 🌹
To Maria
Our dear friend, we have shared lots of laughs and some tears through the years. We were so glad to have you as a friend. I will miss our coffee/cake catch ups, your smiling face and chats. Till we meet again you will be so missed
To Terry and family
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I have many fond memories of Maria, both during postgrad activities in Wollongong/Dapto and in subsequent activities farther afield, including when Maria and Terry visited me while I was based in Johannesburg. Above all, I recall her generosity and sense of fun.
From afar, wishing you all the best at a difficult time.
Dear Terry and family,
Sorry for your loss. Maria will be sadly missed by many. RIP Maria.
We are sorry for your loss. Maria was always a bright spark. We will always remember meeting her for the first time at Wollongong University in the 1990s and that cheeky grin of hers. A truly devoted birder photographer – She will be missed.
Sending our condolences. She was taken way too soon and will be sadly missed.
At our 2000-2001 Antarctic voyage on the Kapitan Khlebnikov, Maria Coleman was one of the sparks of lively enjoyment (and most valuable voice of reason of things large and small) during our unique sailing experience; as was her husband, Terry, as a pair. Alone on the trip, they made my time there much better as kind companions. It was our privilege to host them in Arizona, where she was delighted to see our sights but especially our regional fowl, including hummingbirds, which she thought fascinating and I must agree.
My condolences to Terry and Maria’s family and loved ones. 🙏
What a loss. Maria (& Terry) were an integral part of the great memories of my PhD days of the mid-late 90’s at Wollongong Uni. I think of Maria quite often when I see flocks of Corellas – based from the time I was her fieldie around Coongie Lakes – I vividly remembering disturbing them in the trees at our campsite by shining a touch in their direction after they’d taken ages to go to sleep – the cacophony – that went on for quite a while right down the river!!! At least Maria was patient. Maria & Terry’s wine tastings were also the grandest events, even for most of us neophyte PhD students. Maria’s Sulpher Crested Cockatoo added to the hilarity screeching at random intervals during the evening from the cage annoyed at not being able to join in with the ridiculousness. Maria’s humour, compassion and advice on all things are sadly missed.
Rest in Peace Maria.
How very sad. You were a bold lover of life who lived life as an adventure to be lived to the full. Our several field trips into the Strzelecki Desert during your PhD research are a lasting memory for me. On a 10 day fieldtrip, and with just one tape accidentally left in the tapedeck of the uni’s Toyota, the playing of Queen have for me become a lasting memory of Maria and the Strz! Terry, I’m so sorry for your loss. It will remain a huge gap to fill, but one mixed with many wonderful memories too.