Obituaries Australia

Mabel and George Syme, Fairfax Corporation photo, 1928

National Library of Australia, 51774575

Her many friends will regret to learn of the death of Lady Mabel Syme, widow of the late Sir George Syme, which occurred last night at her home, Chesterfield, Mayfield Avenue, Malvern, after an illness lasting for several months. Lady Syme was the fifth daughter of William Berry, of London, and later of Wellington, New Zealand, and after her father’s death in New Zealand in 1888 she came to Australia with her mother and sisters to make her home in Melbourne about 1890. She married Sir George Syme in May, 1899. Working quietly but earnestly, Lady Syme took a keen interest in philanthropic and social service work. During the war she was actively associated with the work of the Friendly Union of Soldiers’ Wives and Mothers, and she continued to act as honorary treasurer of this organisation until she left in 1928 for England, accompanying her husband to the British Medical Association’s annual meeting at Cardiff, where he represented Australia. As president of the City Creche and Kindergarten Lady Syme was a member of the Free Kindergarten Union of Victoria. The St Martin’s and St John’s Church of England Homes for Boys was another interest, and she was an active president of the Malvern auxiliary.

Lady Syme leaves four children—a son, Dr G. R. A. Syme, whom she visited last year in London, where he was studying for his F.R.C.S. degree, and three daughters, Misses Hope and Theo Syme and Mrs Malcolm Cockburn of Adelaide.

The funeral will leave her late residence, Chesterfield, Mayfield Avenue, Malvern, at half past 2 o’clock today for Fawkner Crematorium.