Obituaries Australia

Rose Meehan, (right), with her niece, 1942

photo supplied by Margaret Wilson

The large gathering of mourners who attended the Requiem Mass in St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Wellington, on Thursday, April 10, at 9 a.m. to pay their last respects to a dearly loved lifelong resident of Wellington, Mrs. Alberta Rose Meehan, aged 91 years, were fully conscious of the tribute paid to the deceased by Parish Priest, Monsignor J. McGuinn in his panegyric.

The Monsignor, who had so often been at the bedside of this member of his parish while in Bindawalla Hospital for almost 15 months, soon learned to appreciate the wonderful character of Mrs. Meehan, who was in hospital from the time of the Monsignor’s appointment to Wellington.

He spoke of her devout faith and fortitude throughout her long illness; her sense of humour; her consideration for others, as exemplified in her thought at all times for the hospital staff and those who visited her. She enjoyed life – even when the going was not easy and suffering was her portion, she continued to be an inspiration to all.

The late Mrs. Meehan who died in hospital on Wednesday, April 9, was born in Wellington and was one of the oldest natives of the district. Her mother, Mrs. Johanna Tuite, of Neurea, was the first white child born at Montefiores.

Daughter Alberta Rose Tuite born in Wellington on September 28, 1883, went to school at Neurea and afterwards took up dressmaking and was a staff member of Mrs. Attwood’s fashion shop in Namina Cresent.

She married Michael Meehan, a son of another pioneering family of the Wellington district, in the old Catholic Church Wellington, and the couple made their home at "Easterfield", Mumbil, which property is still in the family and is now run by her son-in-law and daughter, Mr. And Mrs. Jack Reynolds.

Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Meehan: George (who died in 1944); Isopel "Billie" (Mrs. Reynolds, "Easterfield") and James (who died in infancy).

The three Reynolds grandchildren are Janice (Mrs. Robert Hynes, Bradbury); Margaret (Mrs. John Wilson, Collarenebri) and Michael ("Easterfield", Mumbil). Mr. and Mrs. Hynes have a son and daughter, Matthew and Kristen, and Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have two daughters Fleur and Petra, making four great-grandchildren for the late Mrs. Meehan, who was the last member of the Tuite family of seven.

She retired to town 25 years ago, and made her home at 51 Warne Street, which was her residence until she entered hospital on January 21, 1974.

Her activities and interest centered around her family and the church she loved. She was constantly visited by the priest and the Sisters of Mercy during her protracted illness, and her many friends, with personal visits or remembrances in the mail.

The funeral cortege left St. Patrick’s Church after the Requiem Mass and proceeded to the Holy Family Cemetery, where burial took place. Monsignor McGuinn again officiated at the graveside.

Friends who had maintained a long and loving association with Mrs. Meehan – Mrs. Len Burgess (West Pennant Hills) and Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Smith (French’s Forest) – came to Wellington for the funeral. They had also visited her in hospital. Mr. Burgess had visited her too. They are all former Wellington residents.

Funeral arrangements were carried out by Messrs. H. Logue and Sons.