Obituaries Australia

There passed away at her residence, Harriet-street, Marrickville, on Saturday, 10th inst., an old resident of the State, in the person of Mrs. Phillipina Ratcliffe, at the ripe age of 79 years. Mrs. Ratcliffe was a colonist of over 50 years' standing, and will be remembered by many for her sterling qualities as a good and charitable woman and a devoted Catholic. Particularly will she be regretted by many old residents of Pyrmont, where, in the early sixties, she was a prominent figure where goodness and charity were to be dispensed. She was a native of Wilsbaden, Germany. In England she became a convert to the Catholic faith, and was baptized by the celebrated Father Faber, who gave her a beautifully-bound prayer book as a momento of the occasion, a token which she prized very much. Fifty-two years ago she came to Australia. The old lady was enjoying fairly good health up to almost the time of her death. She had been attending to her household duties, when she came into the house to speak to her husband. Sitting down on a chair, she was noticed to lean forward, as if in pain, and when Mr. Ratcliffe went forward to render her some assistance he found her dead of heart failure. The news of her death came as a great shock to all her friends, as she was much loved by reason of her admirable qualities. Mrs. Ratcliffe, being a most devoted Catholic, was well prepared to meet her Maker. The interment took place at Rookwood, a large number of sorrowing relatives and friends being present, including Mr J. Ratcliffe