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Margaret Gilroy Ranken (1866–1934)

If the good deeds one does on earth bring their reward across the Great Divide, then the family of Margaret Gilroy Ranken, who died in a private hospital late yesterday afternoon, have a comforting consolation in their sad and sudden bereavement.

The late Mrs. Ranken was one of those noble women whose chief aim in life is to bring sunshine to the poor and needy, and, during her 25 years' residence in Dubbo, she won her way into the hearts of rich and poor, with her quiet and unassuming acts of spontaneous kindness.

The wife of Thomas Ranken, retired surveyor, of the Lands Department, the deceased was 68 years of age. Four days ago, she became ill, and died yesterday as the result of pleurisy and pneumonia. The news of her sudden death came as a severe blow to her wide circle of friends, by whom sincere tributes have been paid to her worth as a community worker.

From the time she first came to Dubbo, the late Mrs. Ranken had been prominently associated with charitable movements. Her assistance in that direction was always forthcoming, often unsolicited, for her happiest moments were when she was bringing sunshine to those in unfortunate circumstances. Apart from her association with public charitable movements, she quietly carried out a lot of similar work of a private nature, which only those to whom she went and brought cheer, knew about. As one woman aptly put it, 'She was one of the most wonderful-hearted ladies Dubbo has ever possessed.'

The deceased was one of the original members of the Dubbo Branch of the C.W.A., which was established 12 years ago, and also of the Croquet Club. Her chief work, however, was in the Red Cross, of which she had been the President for many years, and held the office at the time of her death. During the War years, she was an indefatiguable worker for the boys at the front, and many Diggers of to-day recall all she had done to help them during one of the blackest periods of the world's history.

Her work on earth well done, Margaret Ranken goes to her reward, leaving behind cherished memories of a woman whose name will long been shrined in the hearts of the community.

She is survived by her husband, three daughters, Mona (Sydney), Gladys ('Dot') (Dubbo), Mrs. Crozier (Katoomba), and two sons, Tom (Sydney) and George (Brewarrina), to all of whom the sincerest sympathy is extended. The funeral, which left Holy Trinity Church this morning, for the Church of England portion of the cemetery, was large and representative, while a wealth of floral tributes was laid on 'the casket. The Rev. C. W. Leavers officiated at the graveside.

W. Larcombe and Son were in charge of the mortuary arrangements.

Original publication

Citation details

'Ranken, Margaret Gilroy (1866–1934)', Obituaries Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://oa.anu.edu.au/obituary/ranken-margaret-gilroy-26906/text34437, accessed 19 March 2024.

© Copyright Obituaries Australia, 2010-2024

Life Summary [details]

Birth

1866

Death

20 June, 1934 (aged ~ 68)
Dubbo, New South Wales, Australia

Cause of Death

pleurisy

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.

Key Organisations