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Mary Severn (1856–1934)

Mrs. Montgomerie Severn, a well-known social figure and charitable worker in Sydney died suddenly at her home in Bellevue Road, Woollahra, yesterday, aged 78 years.

Mrs Severn, who was formerly Miss Mary Stephen, was the youngest of the 18 children of the late Sir Alfred Stephen, a former Chief Justice and Lieutenant-Governor of New South Wales. She was born in Sydney, and spent almost the whole of her life in the city. She married Mr. Montgomerie Severn, a member of a well-known English family, who died several years ago. Mrs. Severn took an active interest in many charities. She was a member of the committee of the Sydney Industrial Blind Institute, which her father founded, and was formerly vice-president of the Woollhara branch of the District Nursing Association. She was also keenly interested in the work of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Mrs. Severn had many recollections of early Sydney. She often described how she walked from her father’s home in Ocean Street, Waverley, to Christ Church, in the city. As a girl she danced with the King, when he visited Australia as a midshipman.

There were no children of the marriage. Mrs Severn is survived by a sister, Miss Saidee Stephen, who recently celebrated her 90th birthday.

The funeral will leave St. James’s Church, King Street, after a service commencing at 10.30 o’clock this morning, for the Crematorium, Rookwood.

Original publication

Additional Resources

Citation details

'Severn, Mary (1856–1934)', Obituaries Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://oa.anu.edu.au/obituary/severn-mary-1311/text1303, accessed 19 March 2024.

© Copyright Obituaries Australia, 2010-2024

Life Summary [details]

Alternative Names
  • Stephen, Mary
Birth

1856
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Death

21 September, 1934 (aged ~ 78)
Woollahra, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Religious Influence

Includes the religion in which subjects were raised, have chosen themselves, attendance at religious schools and/or religious funeral rites; Atheism and Agnosticism have been included.

Occupation
Key Organisations