Obituaries Australia

Another death, which occurred on Tuesday morning last, at "Leura," the residence of her daughter-in-law (Mrs. Allan Skene) whom she was visiting, and which also caused poignant grief among a very wide circle of friends and admirers, was that, of Mrs. [Alexandrina] Skene, relict of the late Mr. William Wilson Skene. The late Mrs Skene, who had reached the advanced age of 73 years, died after a very brief illness from pneumonia, and her demise for that reason is the more keenly felt. Mrs. Skene was one of the oldest and one of the most highly-esteemed residents of this district. She came to Australia with her parents in 1852, and first resided in Geelong. She married Mr. William Skene, of Lismore, who predeceased her by 18 years. She had resided in the Western District for 59 years, and had seen Camperdown grow from a tiny settlement to its present size, and those who had the good fortune to know her throughout her long and useful life could never praise her sufficiently. She was recognised as an exceptional woman, and besides being possessed of great fortitude she was renowned for sterling traits which won her well-deserved admiration. Universal sympathy will be felt for the bereaved members of the family and relatives. She leaves two sons and four daughters to mourn their great loss. The sons are Messrs. Stewart and Kenneth Skene and the daughters Mrs. J. Pascall, Mrs. J. Deane, Mrs. G. Hay, and Miss Annie Skene. Mrs. H. Stevens, of Geelong, is a sister. Four sons predeceased her–the late Messrs. Allan Wilson, John, William and Gordon Skene. The funeral, which was largely attended, took place yesterday afternoon. The remains were placed to rest in the Presbyterian section or the Camperdown Cemetery, the Rev. A. Dunn officiating at the graveside. The coffin-bearers were Messrs. G. Hay, J. Pascall. Andrew Walls, Henry Stevens. J. Nicol and F. Pilkington. Messrs. Collie and Brennan had charge of the funeral arrangements.