Blacktown resident Maret Archer died after a long illness on Monday , 2nd September 2024 in Blacktown Hospital , surrounded by family and friends . Maret had recently celebrated her 75th birthday .

Best known in her later years as Beryl , the outspoken grandmother of TV ’ s award-winning comedy drama , Housos . Beryl held the show ’ s dysfunctional family unit together , despite her rough exterior .

Although she became an actor late in life , Maret had immediate success as a quirky character actor in a number of Australian and international commercials , before gaining a role as Terry ’ s mother in the Australian movie Footy Legends ,

Housos Vs Authority premiere , Maret with Paul Fenech , Parramatta 2012

where she worked with Claudia Karvan and Ahn Do .

Maret joined the cast of Pizza , working with Paul Fenech and a diverse team of comedians , and was later invited to join the cast of Swift and Shift for two seasons , before accepting the role of Beryl in the Housos series , which spanned a decade of appearances . Although Beryl was a minor character , she hit a chord for many viewers , and became popular in her own right .

She also appeared as Beryl in two movies based on the series , Housos Vs Authority and Fat Pizza Vs Housos .

Working alongside artists such as Amanda Kellerman , the late Ian Turpie , Angry Anderson and Elle Dawe , Maret loved the fun and chaos of Housos , which she believed gave a unique voice to the issues and concerns of people not usually represented on Australian TV .

Born on the NSW south coast , Maret moved to Sydney and worked as a home help before taking a job as a station hand . She later married and had two children , Lisa and Shannon , and after divorcing began work in a refuge for women fleeing domestic violence . In those early times , this was often a controversial job , and

Maret saw her role as one of education as well as support .

Maret was deeply committed to social justice throughout her life , she supported people when they needed it and became a mentor to many . She was often a ground breaker in her ideas and actions .

In 2002 , Maret and her partner Christine settled in Blacktown , which she loved for the suburban peacefulness , great facilities and wonderful people . Maret later worked for the NSW State Government on the Kids ’ Helpline . After retirement , she focussed on her family , garden , and a menagerie of pets . She loved visiting the local Library .

Maret is survived by her partner

Christine , her children Lisa and Shannon , her grandchildren , and her many devoted friends .

Maret will be sadly missed by all who knew her .