Mushroom deaths: Fatal chef’s estranged husband tells how his father desperately clung to life after eating poisonous lunch – and the tragic last text his mother sent before lapsing into a coma

Poisonous mushroom victim Don Patterson survived a liver transplant before dying in hospital after eating a Beef Wellington meal prepared by his daughter-in-law and which included death cap mushrooms.

His son Simon Patterson, who missed his estranged wife Erin’s lunch, held back tears at Thursday’s public memorial as he recalled his father’s desperate fight for his life as his liver melted from the effects of the deadly mushroom toxin.

Don and Gail Patterson and Gail’s sister Heather Wilkinson died after eating the meal, while Ian, Mrs. Wilkinson’s husband, is still fighting for life.

Simon paid tribute to his parents in front of some 450 mourners who gathered at the Korumburra Recreation Center.

His estranged wife was nowhere to be seen among the sea of ​​mourners who braved cold and wet conditions to attend.

Police officers were present at the meeting and stood in the back of downtown for the entire service.

Don and Gail Patterson said goodbye in Korumburra on Thursday

Police visited the memorial service for Don and Gail Patterson on Thursday

Simon held back tears as he recalled the poignant last moments of his parents’ lives.

He told the packed house that his father was known for his fitness, even in his last years.

“His fitness at age 70 – this year – also helped him successfully survive an emergency liver transplant a few weeks ago,” said Simon.

“Although unfortunately the rest of his body was too sick to go beyond that point.”

Pastor Ian Wilkinson was the only one of four guests to survive the poisonous lunch served by Erin Patterson on July 29 in Leongatha, Victoria.

The private funeral for the Pattersons took place last week, while the funeral for Mrs. Wilkinson has yet to take place.

Mourners attend the memorial for Don and Gail Patterson on Thursday

Don and Gail Patterson said their goodbyes at Korumburra General Cemetery on August 23

Hundreds gathered in Korumburra to bid farewell to the Pattersons

Mourners faced cold and wet weather on Thursday

Thursday’s memorial was the first time Simon had addressed the shocking incident that claimed the lives of his loved ones.

He remembered his mother Gail’s last text before she went into a coma that she didn’t want to wake up from.

The service of 450 mourners was marked by a heavy police presence (above)

Simon described his parents as both pacifists, while her text message ringtone on his phone was set to the tune of Edwin Starr’s “War.”

“It was no coincidence that my mother’s last text message in our family group chat, while she was in Dandenong Hospital, was, ‘Much love to you all,'” he said.

“While Mom and Dad were in a coma at Austin Hospital in their final days and we were uncertain every day whether they would recover or not, it was comforting to know that when we said ‘goodbye’ we knew it was true .

“The only thing we didn’t know was when. I hope we see you later. That was their hope and it is ours.’

Simon made no mention of his estranged wife during his emotional tribute to his parents.

Instead, his words were filled with stories of two lives united under the common interest of love and God.

Gail Patterson’s last message to her family before she went into a coma

Simon Patterson paid tribute to his parents on Thursday

Erin Patterson, pictured outside her attorney’s office this week, was not at the service

Both Don and Gail were described as deeply religious people, with Don actively reading the Bible at night until his untimely death.

The couple married in 1973 after growing up together in Melbourne’s southeastern suburbs.

Both enjoyed a love of tennis, the outdoors, piano and a deep sense of wanting to help humanity.

A large screen on stage showed pictures of the couple throughout their lives, from small children to their final months.

Don had been a dedicated teacher, teaching Chinese students to speak English when he wasn’t teaching science and math.

Simon described his parents as people who led a somewhat exotic lifestyle, taking his family to all corners of the world.

Although Don was a tech-savvy man, Simon said they didn’t get a microwave until he was almost an adult and their family sat down to eat together every night.

Simon said his parents had a sound understanding of life and death because of their firm belief in God.

“My mom and dad taught us that the only side effect of being a Christian is that you have a pretty sane view of death,” he said.

“They recognized the transience of life and the reality of death as something that isn’t right in the world – and so it’s very sad – but they also knew that death is not final. It is under the authority of God.

“My mom and dad proactively put this into practice in a number of ways. They always waved goodbye when they parted, partly because one day the last wave would be.”

Pastor Ian Wilkinson (right) was the only person to survive the mushroom lunch. His wife Heather (left) died

It is clear that Simon left the service shortly after delivering his eulogy in an attempt to evade a media pack.

Camera crews had been asked to remain in an area in front of the center and not approach anyone entering.

A television crew was allowed to film the service provided they shared it with other news outlets.

Reverend Fran Grimes had previously slammed media coverage of the tragic deaths.

“The overwhelming media attention has been quite painful… because homes and churches have been the subject of cameras and reporters visiting this city,” she said.

“Many of the stories describe Korumburra as a ‘close-knit’ community, but what they actually found is a community that, above all else, protected and protected the family from callous speculation and gossip.”

The report of Don Patterson’s liver transplant raises expectations that the only survivor of the deadly luncheon has also received a new liver.

Ian Wilkinson’s recovery remains mysterious.

Last week, a family spokesperson said Wilkinson was “showing signs of improvement.”

What he says if he’s good enough is likely to help detectives move the case forward.

Erin Patterson did not attend the funeral on Thursday

Ms Patterson said she made the amazing lunch with a mixture of mushrooms from a major supermarket chain and dried mushrooms from an Asian supermarket in Melbourne.

In her statement, leaked to the media by an unknown source, Ms Patterson said she divided the meal into plates and let her guests choose their own.

She said she took the last remaining plate and ate a portion, later handing the leftovers over to the hospital’s toxicologists for examination.

A drying device she owned was later dumped in the local landfill, fearing her estranged husband would blame her for his parents’ deaths and gain custody of their two children, she said.

Daily Mail Australia does not suggest that Erin Patterson is responsible for their deaths.