Ada Sarah Esther Purcell1

F, #1479, b. 26 June 1888, d. 20 October 1972
FatherJohn James Purcell1 b. 8 Aug 1861, d. 28 Jun 1942
MotherElizabeth Martha Eleanor Annie Alderson Priestly1 d. 20 Dec 1958
RelationshipGreat-aunt of Timothy George Sheens
Last Edited25 Dec 2021
Birth*26 June 1888 Sydney, NSW1 
Married Name7 October 1911 Bunyan2 
Death of Spouse7 October 1911 Emu Plains, NSW;Principal=Thomas Wlater Bunyan2 
Marriage*7 October 1911 St Paul's, Emu Plains, NSW;Groom=Thomas Wlater Bunyan2 
Birth of Daughter15 December 1913 Emu Plains, NSW;Principal=Iris Emily Bunyan3 
Birth of Daughter29 July 1917 Emu Plains, NSW;Principal=Nita Bunyan4 
Death of Father28 June 1942 Castlereagh, NSW;
Name: John James Purcell
Date of Death: 28 Jun 1942
Place of Death: Castlereagh, Castlereagh Municipality
Occupation: Dairyman
Sex: Male
Age: 81
Conjugal Status:
Place of Birth: Castlereagh NSW
Time in Aust Colonies:

Father: John Purcell
Occupation: Farmer
Mother: Ann Palmer

Place of Marriage: Sydney NSW
Age at Marriage: 26
Name of Spouse: Elizabeth Priestley
Children of Marriage: Ada 54, Clarice 49, John A R 47, living; 1 female deceased
Informant: J Purcell, son, Castlereagh

Cause of Death: Pneumonia
Length of Illness: 7 days
Medical Attendant: K C Faulder
Date last seen: 26 Jun 1942

Date of Burial: 29 Jun 1942
Place of Burial: Roman Catholic Cemetery Cranebrook
Minister & Religion: C J Heffernan, Roman Catholic
Undertaker: Nelson Price, of the firm of J Price and Son
Witnesses: Arthur Wright, A C Howell;Principal=John James Purcell5 
Death of Mother20 December 1958 Lester Convalescent Home, Westmead, NSW;
OBITUARY
Mrs. E. PURCELL
Elizabeth Priestley was the only daughter of the late William and Mary Priestley, was born in Sydney, near where Mark Foys is now, and went to Cleveland Street School. Elizabeth did well at school.
At the age of 19 she married John James Purcell, of Castlereagh, and they took a butcher's shop after their marriage. This did not agree with the health of Mr. Purcell, so it was decided they would go to live on the farm which was the property of Mr. Purcell's father, and which later became his.
Now the work on the farm those days was different from what it is today. Mrs. Purcell had learned to play the piano, and was quite a good performer. But that made no difference to her new task in life, with her husband at the Castlereagh farm. She went out into the paddocks, and did whatever work came her way. Then, when the occasion arose, she would take her place at the function, be the chairman, the M.C., or the pianist. She did these things naturally and with out ostentation.
On the farm four children were born. They were Ada, Linda, Maynie, and John. Much of the social life of the community centred around the farm and work those days.
For 54 years they lived on the farm at Castlereagh. Then, in 1942 Mr. Purcell died. After that Mrs. Purcell went to live with her daughter, Mrs. T. Bunyan, at 33 Union Road, Penrith. There she lived for 14 years, until two years ago she went to Lester Convalescent Home, Westmead, where she died on December 20. A week before, she was her usual bright self. She never wore glasses and was a great reader.
All her life she had abundant energy to help herself, and to help other people.
She was connected with the foundation of organisations in the area, notably the Country Women's Association. This was in 1936. She had a life-member's badge for her work in the hospital auxiliary; a life member of Nepean A. & H. Society, and she was a hard worker for the Catholic church, but also devoted her time and energies to any worthy cause. She was one of the best citizens which this community has ever had, said one of her old friends.
For her work, the address given to her by the Castlereagh branch of the C.W.A., sums up for so many organisations and people. The wording, dated 7th October, 1936, and presented by L'Dell Wright, treasurer, is: "I think we are all very privileged, having the opportunity of participating in a function of this kind. Firstly, because you, Mrs. Purcell, have been spared to enjoy 50 years of happy companionship with your husband, and secondly, because we have been enabled in a very small way, to show you the esteem and affection in which you are held in our association. I have known Mr. and Mrs. Purcell as long as I can remember, and it gives me very great pleasure, Mrs. Purcell, on behalf of Castlereagh branch of the C.W.A. to ask you to accept this small gift. May you long be spared to wear it and to carry on your good work is the sincere wish of all the members." A brooch was presented to Mrs. Purcell on this, the occasion of her golden wedding. The address was beautifully written.
Mrs. Purcell maintained contact with the Castlereagh organisations with which she had been connected, and when she was at Westmead, on several occasions members of these organisations paid Granny Purcell a visit. She continued her interest in the Penrith district in general.
She died at the age of 92.
Of the four children, Linda (Mrs. Plunkett) died in 1932, leaving six children. The others are Ada Mrs. Tom Bunyan, Union Street, Penrith), Maynie (Mrs. Poole, Tamworth), John (Brown Street, Penrith).
There are 15 grandchildren, 45 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren. Most of these live in Penrith district.
She was buried in the Catholic portion of Castlereagh Cemetery, after a service at St. Nicholas' Church, Penrith.
Many tributes have come to the family in relation to this grand lady, and her example will live on in the work which she has left behind.;Principal=Elizabeth Martha Eleanor Annie Alderson Priestly6 
Death*20 October 1972 85 Derby Street, Penrith, NSW;
BUNYAN, Ada.—October 20, 1972 (suddenly), at her residence, 85 Derby Street, Penrith, beloved wife of the late Thomas Bunyan, and loving mother of Iris, Nita and Betty, fond mother-in-law, grandmother and great-grandmother of their families.
Aged 85 years.
Requiescat in pace.7 

Family

Thomas Wlater Bunyan d. 7 Oct 1911
Children

Citations

  1. [S13] NSW Birth Index, 2137/1888 Sarah A E Purcell.
  2. [S154] Australian Newspapers, trove.nla.gov.au, The Nepean Times, Saturday, October 21, 1911.
  3. [S420] Ancestry - Sydney Anglican Parish Registers, 1814-2011, online www.ancestry.com, baptism Iris Emily Bunyan 1914.
  4. [S13] NSW Birth Index, 32792/1917 Nita Bunyan.
  5. [S107] NSW Death Transcript (Marilyn Rowan), John James Purcell 12318/1942.
  6. [S154] Australian Newspapers, trove.nla.gov.au, The Nepean Times, Thursday, January 9, 1959.
  7. [S192] The Sydney Morning Herald, Saturday, October 21, 1972.