Obituaries Australia

Mary Reynolds, n.d.

photo supplied by Adrian Young

The death of Mrs. Mary Charlotte Reynolds in the Sacred Heart Hospital yesterday morning strikes a sad note in the hearts of many of Young's citizens because it means the loss of one who had endeared herself to all and one who played such a big part in the shaping of their lives and happiness throughout her long term as a teacher in the Young Primary School. She was loved not only by the present day pupils but by hundreds of young men and women of the town and district, who will ever remember her kindly nature and disposition.

The late Mrs. Reynolds was 58 years of age and the wife of Mr. George Reynolds. She had been seriously ill for some time past and the remarkable fortitude displayed by her when she knew she was lying awaiting death, added just another characteristic to the magnificent array she possessed and displayed during her brilliant teaching career. Most of her life was spent at Young and ever since the war she has been a teacher in the Primary Department of the Young Intermediate High School, where hundreds of children benefited from having passed through her hands. She was recognised as one of the most competent teachers in the service of the Department of Education. She was a devoted wife and mother, and a hard worker both in her home life and at school functions. At all times sympathetic, a remarkable intuition gave her an insight into children's difficulties, and with consummate tact she was frequently able to advise parents on the youngsters' health when she divined things that others had failed to notice. To parents and visitors to the school she was at all times courteous, friendly and helpful in an unusual degree.

The daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. J. D. Maples, Mrs. Reynolds was born at Mathoura, N.S.W., and came to this district with her parents, attending the Young Public School of those days and the Convent School. She then became a pupil teacher at the Public School, and, securing second place in the examination for the whole State, was awarded a full scholarship which took her to the Hurlstone Park Training College in Sydney for three years. At the college she was one of the most popular students, and she pursued her studies with great success attaining 2A classification, which is recalled by those who were with her even now.

Her first appointment was to Grenfell, and afterwards she went back to Sydney, serving at the schools at Balmain, Allandale and Forest Lodge. The she went to Broken Hill, where, 29 years ago, she resigned for the purpose of marrying. She then devoted herself to her home life for many years, but during the war, when there was a shortage of teachers due to enlistment, she was re-appointed to Young, and shortly afterwards she was graded 3A classification, being the only temporary teacher in the State to receive the distinction, the high standard of her work as a teacher being recognised by the Department. She remained at the school, despite ill-health towards the close of her career, until her last illness secured a grip which necessitated her removal to hospital. She was a fine personality, whose passing leaves a gap locally which it will be difficult to fill.

In addition to the widower, two children, Merva Mary ("Muffie") and Joshua William ("Chappie"), both of Young, are left to mourn their loss. Mr. Albert Maples, of Orange, is a brother, and sisters are Mrs. J. Jepson, of Haberfield, and Miss Gertrude Maples, of the Education Department, Sydney.

The remains have been placed in S. Mary's Church, where Requiem Mass will be celebrated to-morrow morning at 7 o'clock. The funeral will take place at 11 a.m.

The Funeral
The remains were placed in St. Mary's R.C. Church on Monday evening where Requiem Mass was celebrated by the Rev. Father J. Morrison this morning at 7 a.m. At 11 a.m. after short prayers in the church the particularly large funeral moved off to the R. C. portion of the Young cemetary where Father Morrison officiated at the graveside. Included around the grave were Mr. L. Mobbs representing the Young Primary and I. H. School and Mr. T. J. Collins, M.H.R. Relatives of the deceased acted as pall bearers. Messrs Patterson and Son conducted the funeral arrangements. The many floral tributes included one from teachers and students of the Intermediate High School and a similar token from Young Primary School and the following: Louie Bourke, Mr and Mrs A. G. Wareham; Mr J. E. Burtinshaw; Mr and Mrs Thomas Sutherland; Mr I. Waugh and family; Bess and family and Alec; Mr and Mrs T. Forbes; Mrs Proud, Tim and Bert; Will Jasprizza and family; Mr and Mrs E. Tuck; Mr and Mrs G. Patterson and family; Mr and Mrs Curtis and family; Mr and Mrs Mobbs and family; Bill and Stella Gallagher; Mr and Mrs A. T. Phillips and family; Mrs Maurice Purchas; Mr and Mrs W. Ross and family; Mrs Young and family; Junior Red Cross Society Teachers and pupils of Young Primary School; Mr and Mrs F. Herbert (Eugowra); Mr and Mrs T. A. Tester and Sisters; Mr and Mrs Jeff Nuthall; Rose, Syd, Rita and Boys; Ethel Charlton; Mr and Mrs W. H. Daly and family; Mr and Mrs Teasdale and family; Mr and Mrs A. G. Brown and family; Mrs Neville Broderick and Patricia; Kath, Lott, Chris and Lilian; Mr and Mrs Rabbets and Edna; Mr and Mrs R. S. Moore and family; Mr and Mrs G. A. Steven and family; Mr and Mrs W. Barnes and family; Norman and Alma; Mr and Mrs D. Graham and family; Mr and Mrs T. McAlister and Hugh; Mr and Mrs J. Crawford and family; Mrs Payne, Mollie and Mick; Mr and Mrs Cearns and family; Geo. Quay and family; Mr and Mrs A. G. Eastley and family; Louie and Jack and Gertie; Mrs T. Hardy and Mrs E. Reisinger; Mr and Mrs Crisp and Marjorie; Mr A. G. Moffitt, Dorothy and Beatrice; The Reynolds family; Mr and Mrs B. Cunich and family; Mrs Harris and family; Grenfell Road; Edie, Steve and family, Grenfell; Mr and Mrs A. R. Chellew, Mr and Mrs Frank Sutherland and Nonette; Mr and Mrs AJ Simmons and family; Mr and Mrs FJ Hannigan and family; Mr and Mrs Guy Caldwell; Lillias and Hugh and family; Jacky Constables; Mr and Mrs H. Thurlow and family; Mr and Mrs R. S. Norman and family; May and John Moffit and family; Mr and Mrs A. Powderley, Dora and Bertha; Mr and Mrs A. J. Harvey, Mr and Mrs H. Keogh and family; Mr and Mrs. Blackwood and Charlie; Dulcie, Ronnie, Joyce and Birch; Teachers and Pupils of Young Intermediate High School; Paty, Nell and Gwen Wales; Mr A. Taylor and Miss N. Taylor; Mr and Mrs C. Burrows and family; Mr and Mrs Les Aspland and family; Mr and Mrs F. A. Selden; Mr and Mrs Nuthall and family; Teachers' Federation (Young Branch); Mr and Mrs N. Nelson; R. H. Thackeray and family and Mr and Mrs Preston and Reg.