Beloved Couple Brian and Colleen Stephens Remembered After Tragic Road Accident
Brian and Colleen Stephens, aged 75 and 72 respectively, are being fondly remembered as loving parents and long-term pillars of the Tanilba Bay community following their tragic deaths in a car accident at Kooragang on February 17. The incident occurred just weeks after the couple celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary, leaving family and friends in mourning.
A Life Built Together in Tanilba Bay
Sitting in a garden filled with native plants alongside his parents' dog Blossom, Luke Stephens reflects on his mother and father as doting carers who provided endless support and love. Brian and Colleen married young, when he was 21 and she had just turned 18. They first met in Newcastle, where Brian worked in a bookshop and Colleen in womenswear at a department store.
After a brief stay in Hamilton, the inseparable couple moved into a home that Brian built in Tanilba Bay, where they would live into their retirement. Mr Stephens noted that his parents became integral to the community from the outset, constructing one of the first homes in the bayside area on the southern shore of Port Stephens.
Opposites That Complemented Each Other
According to their son, Brian and Colleen were complete opposites but brought out the best in each other. "Dad was pretty quiet and liked to keep to himself, but Mum was a people person," he said. "They complemented each other perfectly." Brian enjoyed spending time with their dog Blossom and tending to the garden, while Colleen thrived on social interactions.
Colleen worked at the local doctor's surgery and later volunteered at Vinnies after retirement, where she could stay updated on community gossip. Brian, before retiring, worked as a truck driver, including a stint with Armaguard that made him a familiar face across the Hunter region.
Community Pillars and Family Legacy
The couple adored the small community of the Tilligerry Peninsula, with Luke Stephens describing them as beloved figures who cherished the peace and quiet. His partner, Nyssa Kelly, added that the pair often said they could never imagine living anywhere else. "They were never too far apart and adored each other," she said. "She brought the larrikin out of him; they could both be the life of the party."
Ms Kelly recalled Brian as a "big and burly man" who was extremely fit, often riding his bike into town for work in the early days. He also shared stories of a plane crash on the peninsula, showing a photo he claimed was of a top-secret RAAF base aircraft.
Cherished Memories and Hobbies
In retirement, Brian and Colleen enjoyed slowing down with activities such as days at the sailing club, swimming at their favourite spots, and relaxing in their garden. Luke Stephens reminisced about his perfect upbringing by the bay, filled with outdoor activities like fishing. "They were doting and loving parents," he said. "I have travelled but always returned to Tanilba."
Brian even took up surfing so they could hit the beach together with Malibu longboards, though Luke joked that his father's board was "like a boat" and he never quite caught up. Colleen loved being in the kitchen, baking and cooking meals for the family, remembered as a great cook.
Farewell and Surviving Family
Brian and Colleen Stephens will be farewelled together by friends and family at a memorial at the North Chapel in Newcastle Memorial Park in Beresfield on Thursday, March 5. They are survived by their son Luke, brothers and sisters, nephews and nieces, and great-nephews and nieces. Their legacy of love and community spirit continues to resonate in Tanilba Bay.
