Mary Clarice Purcell1
F, #1481, b. 31 December 1892, d. 21 July 1992
Father | John James Purcell1 b. 8 Aug 1861, d. 28 Jun 1942 |
Mother | Elizabeth Martha Eleanor Annie Alderson Priestly1 d. 20 Dec 1958 |
Relationship | Great-aunt of Timothy George Sheens |
Last Edited | 14 Jun 2021 |
Birth* | 31 December 1892 | Penrith, NSW1 |
Married Name | 7 November 1916 | Poole2 |
Marriage* | 7 November 1916 | Sydney, NSW;Groom=William J Poole2 |
Death of Father | 28 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 Purcell3 |
Death of Mother | 20 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 Priestly4 |
Married Name | 10 May 1962 | Kahler5 |
Marriage* | 10 May 1962 | Tamworth, NSW;Groom=Arthur Reginald Kahler5 |
Death* | 21 July 1992 | NSW6 |
Family 1 | William J Poole |
Family 2 | Arthur Reginald Kahler |
Citations
- [S13] NSW Birth Index, 29162/1892 Mary C Purcell.
- [S12] NSW Marriage Index, 12911/1916 William J Poole & Mary C Purcell.
- [S107] NSW Death Transcript (Marilyn Rowan), John James Purcell 12318/1942.
- [S154] Australian Newspapers, trove.nla.gov.au, The Nepean Times, Thursday, January 9, 1959.
- [S12] NSW Marriage Index, 11498/1962 Arthur Reginald Kahler & Mary Clarice Poole.
- [S15] Microfilm unknown record type, unknown parish, unknown period "Mary Clarice Kahler 1992 - Tamworth General Cemetery."