Obituaries Australia

"Deeply lamented by a large circle, to whom she had endeared herself by her faithfulness and affectionate self-denial." Thus closed a brief notice of death in your last issue–a record of work in this life that would adorn the obituary notice of the greatest in the land. And to whom were they applied? To one who had deservedly earned them. To one who humbly and peacefully moved about amongst us, doing her duty quietly and without ostentation, never thinking of self. To Ann Groves, for so she was known to the writer for nearly twenty years past, during which time many in this district have had proof of her faithfulness and self-denial. Ever giving where she could be of service to those in trouble and sickness, or needing her help, often indeed when she herself was almost too ill to move about. Many will now miss her. Many owe very much to her. With many it will be difficult to fill the place she held in their hearts and in their homes. Of her personal history there was but little known, as she never sought to weary people with her own cares. But this much has been gleaned. She was born in Wales in the early part of this century–a cousin of the late Charles Matthews. In early life she served in a responsible position in one of the noble families of England, and not unfrequently had the pleasure of seeing much of our Queen when an infant. Marrying, she came to this colony many years since, when Sydney was but little more than a small village. From the time of her arrival in the colony she experienced many vicissitudes, during which she buried her first and second husbands, and through all doing her duty faithfully. Many of the principal families of the colony have had experience of her good qualities, and have received kindness at her hands. Having married for the third time, she arrived on the Clarence in the year 1861. Her husband, Jacob Groves, died on the 25th December, 1878, after a long and painful illness. Since his death, alone in the world, and at a ripe old age, racked by a distressing affection of the lungs, she still wrought on, serving all she could. Many a good deed has been performed by her unknown to the world, who scarcely noticed the active old woman moving about amongst us, and so she continued until the end. On the 18th January, 1880, she passed calmly and peacefully away. As she lived, so she died. She has gone to her reward, leaving many here who, when they pass her last resting place, may not rocognise the fact that to her who rests beneath they are deeply indebted–while there are many others who will not fail to shed a tear in remembrance of one who loved them so well–when they think of all her goodness, as they cannot fail to do when they see the name of Ann Groves.– Communicated.