Mt Barker community stalwart Cecilia “Cis” Sounness has died aged 103, leaving behind a legacy of service, generosity and dedication that helped shape the Plantagenet district for eight decades.

Ms Sounness passed away on April 19 but will be remembered as one of Mt Barker’s most respected and enduring community figures whose contributions touched the lives of generations of local residents.

She was one of six children born to Colly and Alice Moir in 1922 and was raised on the family farm at Amelup.

In 1941 her parents were killed in a road accident on the Kalgan River bridge.

She married Frank Sounness in July 1943. They bred Santa Gertrudis cattle at their farm in Merryup and grew apples on their Muir Highway orchard.

With Frank, Ms Sounness had three children, seven grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren.

Ms Sounness was not only a resident of the area but also a highly recognisable and respected figure.

She was a member of the Mt Barker Country Women’s Association since the early 1960s, serving as president over multiple terms, earning a loyal service badge, and, at the age of 102, received a branch legend award.

In addition, she gave more than 30 years service to the Mt Barker and Districts Agricultural Society, earning life membership in 1995.

Ms Sounness was a keen golfer for 70 years, serving as ladies captain, president and patron at the Mt Barker Golf Club.

She won the Mt Barker championship 24 times and was still playing at the age of 100.

She was a constant supporter of local sporting clubs, the church, community activities and was a foundation member of Plantagenet Village Homes and a dedicated hospital volunteer.

Ms Sounness achieved many top honours including the Shire of Plantagenet’s citizen of the year for community service award in 1992, the WA Volunteer Service Badge in 2013 and in 2021 was awarded one of the nation’s top honours with the Medal of the Order of Australia.

Close friend of Ms Sounness, Adrienne Quenby said she was an amazing lady who did incredible things in her older years.

“She was very strong, stoic and because she was so involved in the golf, I think it kept her mind active,” she said.

“For anyone sitting in a golf cart in rain, hail or shine at 103 is pretty amazing.

“It is amazing to reach that age.”

Ms Sounness’ daughter-in-law Pamela Sounness said she would be remembered as a kind person who loved living on the family farm.

“She was a very caring family member . . . she was very caring in the community,” she said.

“She was very happy she was able to stay out on the farm in the house and she never wanted to go into a retirement unit.

“She was determined to stay on the farm.

“She would sit in an area where she observed everything going on, on the farm and never missed a trick.”

Ms Sounness said one of Cecilia’s amazing traits was that she never missed a birthday wish.

“She never forgot any birthdays right up to the day she passed away, and it wasn’t just her immediate family, it was nieces and nephews and friends which is amazing really,” she said.

“She had this incredible wish to acknowledge birthdays of family and extended family and close friends.”

She said her mother-in-law was an incredible community figure and the amount of people who paid respects at her funeral was amazing.

“Lots of the community came out to respect her and what she had done for the community,” she said.

Federal Member for O’Connor Rick Wilson acknowledged the life of Ms Sounness in Parliament, saying she was an inspiration to the community.

“I know she was a role model to countless generations, setting the example of a life grounded in kindness, humility and a genuine willingness to help others,” he said.

“On behalf of the broader O’Connor community, I extend my heartfelt condolences to her family and loved ones.

“In celebrating a life so well-lived, we are reminded of the profound impact one person can have.

“Cecilia Sounness OAM will be deeply missed by all who loved her, but her legacy will endure in the community she helped build and in the generations she inspired.”