Wednesday 29 January 1997

As in life, couple remain as one in death

By CLAIRE MILLER

Mathematics was not one of Jennifer Lindroth's strong points, her father, Geoff Bell, recalled yesterday. Once he asked his little girl the sum of one plus one. ``One,'' she replied.

Years later, Jennifer met and married Graham Lindroth, Mr Bell told a thanksgiving service in memory of his daughter, 24, and son-in-law, 26, who lost their lives in last week's bushfires at Ferny Creek.

``I'm going to miss my daughter's life and crooked smile,'' he said. ``But Jen, you and Graham had an unconditional love and your total devotion for each other proved to me that you knew you were right all the time. One and one can be one.''

More than 800 people gathered in the mudbrick Church of Christ at Mount Evelyn to pay tribute to the couple, who were found in each other's arms in the basement of their Seabreeze Avenue home. The body of their neighbor Genevieve Erin, 50, was also found in the ruins.

Graham Lindroth's father, Rod, said his only son typically was giving his wife a bear hug to make her feel safe and secure. The couple will be farewelled at a private service today as they were found - together. ``They will be cremated together in one coffin and will still be in each other's arms,'' Mr Lindroth said.

In an emotional service punctuated by lively anecdotes and warm memories, family and friends told of an inseparable couple who brought love, happiness and laughter into the lives of those around them.

Graham and Jennifer Lindroth had a wide circle of friends and shared many hobbies, including rugby union - both represented Victoria - golf and gardening. Mr Lindroth, a horticulturalist, particularly liked box plants: a potted shrub graced the altar along with rugby jumpers and a basket of roses, Jennifer's favorite flowers. The couple were on the brink of starting a family.

In an earlier press conference, Rod and Lyn Lindroth and Geoff and Jackie Bell said they believed their son and daughter were caught by surprise as the fire roared in from an unexpected direction while they were still hosing down their house before escaping.

The couple were well prepared but the bushfire was upon them so quickly. ``They just didn't have any chance at all,'' Mr Lindroth said.

The Lindroths and Bells praised firefighters, the police and emergency services for their efforts last Tuesday and said had it not been for them many more people may have lost their lives. They were grateful for the support and sympathy they had received.

``We have really come to realise that although we obviously feel this tragedy much more than anybody else, it is Melbourne's tragedy too, and in the same way as in any bushfire, it is Australia's tragedy,'' Mrs Lindroth said.