Eileen ‘Red’ Bond remembered as a ‘Freo girl’ at funeral mass

2 days ago 11

Eileen Bond’s son has spoken of his mother’s colourful personality and fierce loyalty at her funeral mass in Fremantle on Monday.

Hundreds attended the funeral of the matriarch of the Bond family and former wife of controversial businessman Alan Bond.

Eileen Bond with her son John Bond and his wife Linda (left).

The 87-year-old died surrounded by family earlier this month after suffering a stroke.

The Catholic service was held at St Patrick’s Basilica on Adelaide Street in Fremantle, and remembered the socialite known affectionately by friends and family as “Red”.

Mourners, including Eileen’s cousin and caryard tycoon John Hughes, filled the pews of St Patrick’s as her family streamed inside.

Eileen’s casket was adorned with red flowers, and the altar featured pink, coral and red arrangements.

Her son John Bond delivered the eulogy.

“Mum would be delighted to see so many people here today and expect nothing less,” he said.

John said Eileen was South Fremantle Football Club’s number one ticket holder, a keen waterskier, and a staunch Catholic.

“She was raised just around the corner from this church,” he said.

“It is entirely fitting that this is where she starts and finishes.”

Eileen and Alan Bond after the America’s Cup win in Fremantle in 1983.

John said Eileen’s life could be summed up with family, friends, fun and faith.

“When dad appeared on the scene on a motorbike having dropped out of school and taken up sign-writing, she was off,” Bond said of his parents’ marriage.

The pair married when Eileen was just 17 years old, and John said their early years were spent in a garage as the couple worked to find their feet.

John joked that Eileen’s age became a guarded secret to even her close staff.

“She related to all ages in a way that very few people are able to do,” he said.

John said his mother was known for her parties – one of which included getting sand shipped into their house to imitate a beach – and Eileen operated on an open-door policy for her many friends.

“The house was always open, the fire was always on and the champagne was always flowing,” he said.

John said Eileen made firm friends with former Australian prime minister Bob Hawke and news tycoon Rupert Murdoch, and met world leaders including the Pope and Ronald Reagan.

On the America’s Cup victory in 1983, Bond said his mother had walked away with her own winnings – a number of friends all over the United States.

“Much has been written about the intervening years – in particular the America’s Cup triumph,” he said.

“Red was a mother to the crew ... [and] maintained a lifetime connection with them all.

“Our mighty team won the America Cup and mum won the American public.”

John said his mother also had many “legendary” stories attributed to her – including picking up her youngest daughter from pre-school with a donkey in the back seat.

“Or infamously cutting off the legs of dad’s suit pants and throwing them out the window when she’d had enough of his bad behaviour,” he said.

In the last week of her life, Eileen had purchased a new Balenciaga outfit, gone to a South Fremantle footy match and planned to go to a lunch at John’s house on the Sunday.

“Unfortunately, she didn’t make it.”

Despite her worldliness, John said Eileen “was always a Freo girl at heart”.

Eileen will be laid to rest at a private burial later today.

She is survived by her children, John, Craig and Jodie, and their families.

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