One of the pioneers of netball in the south-west will be laid to rest on Monday.
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Peta Richardson passed away peacefully at the family home at Woorndoo on May 20.
She lost her short battle with cancer at age 63.
Peta is survived by her husband Daryl, children Kate and Adam and grandchildren Willow, Albert, Ruby, Henry, Archie and Ollie.
She was also a much-loved mother-in-law to Brooke and Terry.
Peta's daughter Kate Wardlaw said her mother had a special ability to make everyone around her feel special and loved.
She loved playing netball for the Mortlake Cats but also ensured she cheered on the senior football players once she finished her match.
Peta was a player, coach and administrator.
She was recognised for her dedication and hard work by the Hampden Football Netball League years ago, with the open medal for the best on court in a grand final named after her.
However, Peta was always humble about her contribution to the community, Kate said.
She only found out about the medal named in her mum's honour a few years ago.
"She never did anything for recognition," Kate said.
"She was very humble."
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Kate said nothing was ever too much trouble for her mother.
She loved organising gatherings and would do so in minute detail.
A Boxing Day cricket test match between family members at the Woorndoo farm has become a tradition.
Kate said it was a formal affair, with a shield awarded to the winning team and a trophy for the best player on the day.
"The kids all have t-shirts with their names on them," she said.
"She didn't do anything by halves."
Kate said her mother loved spending time with family and friends.
"She had a beautiful way of making people feel important, loved and cared for," she said.
When she finished her netball career, she and 'Dazza' would often go along to cheer on daughter-in-law Brooke, a playing coach for Camperdown.
Peta found out she had cancer in her spine in January.
She spent months in hospital but was delighted to return home for the last three weeks of her life.
"All she wanted to do was go home," Kate said.
She said the family would be forever grateful for the Warrnambool palliative care team and nurses from Terang and Mortlake Health Service.
"They were incredible, we can't thank them enough," Kate said.
In her final weeks, Peta loved soaking up the sunshine on the deck of the family property.
"She could sit in the sun, look out at the farm and listen to the birds," Kate said.
Peta will be laid to rest in a service at the Ellerslie cemetery at 2pm on Monday. A celebration of her life will follow at the Woorndoo Recreation Reserve.
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