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Mary Robertson Fairbairn (?–1935)

No aeroplane accident in recent times has created such a widespread feeling of distress as that which resulted in the death of Mr. and Mrs. Pat Fairbairn on Sunday morning.

Both of these young people were popular members of society, and Mrs. Fairbairn was one of the best known of the younger matrons in Victoria. A girl of very charming personality, she was a ‘sportswoman’ to her fingertips. Considered one of the best women pilots in this State, she was certainly the most attractive. With her svelte, slim figure, fair colouring, and pretty hair, she always looked most attractive in her flying kit without pandering to the eccentric or the outré. At the aerial pageant on Saturday afternoon, for which she had flown down from Lara with her husband, she was the cynosure of all eyes in her trim camel's hair overalls, under which she always wore a tailored skirt and woollen jumper.

One of the saddest aspects of the affair, apart from the loss suffered by the parents of these young people, who had what should have been a long and happy life before them, is the fact that their baby is only a little more than twelve months old. Both Mr. and Mrs. Fairbairn were experienced pilots. Deep sympathy is being extended to Mr. and Mrs. Stuart Murray, Mrs. Fairbairn's parents, and to the relatives of her husband, to whom especially his sister, Mrs. Ross Grey Smith, was deeply attached.

Original publication

Citation details

'Fairbairn, Mary Robertson (?–1935)', Obituaries Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://oa.anu.edu.au/obituary/fairbairn-mary-robertson-365/text366, accessed 10 March 2025.

© Copyright Obituaries Australia, 2010-2025

Life Summary [details]

Alternative Names
  • Murray, Mary
Death

26 May, 1935
Essendon, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Cause of Death

air crash

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 or Descriptor