The Tumut and Adelong Times 30 Aug 1938
OBITUARY MRS CATHERINE KELLY There passed way at Cootamundra District Hospital on Thursday night last of Mrs. Catherine Kelly, relict of the late Mr. Peter Kelly, at the age of 82 years. Deceased was a daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Hugh McKinnon, early settlers at Brungle where she was born. The subject of this obituary married Mr. Peter Kelly at Tumut and with her husband arrived in the Grong Grong district from Tumut about 45 years ago, later taking over the Old London Hotel in the district then known as Warri (now Ardlethan). When the railway line was completed from Temora to Barellan about 1907, the license was removed to new premises in the township of Ardlethan, Mr. and Mrs. Kelly soon afterwards retiring from the hotel business. Mrs. Kelly some time afterwards removed to Barellan and later to Sydney, and was staying with friends at Cootamundra when her last illness overtook her at the age of 82 years. In her younger days Mrs. Kelly was an excellent horsewoman. She frequently rode from the "Old London" to Grong Grong, a distance of 25 miles, caught the mail train to Narandera, and generally with a huge package of parcels, rode the same horse back in the evening. In those days she was the central figure in the social life of her district. Visitors of any note were entertained in a lavish way under her supervision, the older hands will remember that, even following a football match, the players and followers were banqueted. Although a keen observer of human nature, her observations were always on the generous side almost invariably intermingled with a little humor. The surviving sons and daughters are: Fred, of Grong Grong; Stella (Mrs. Frazer); Maud (Mrs. O'Grady), both of Sydney; and Norman, of Queensland. Deceased was a remarkably active woman despite her having to use crutches and was a frequent visitor to Tumut to see her sister, Mrs. W. M. Robinson. Prior to her death she had been visiting her friend, Mrs. C. Irwin, of Cootamundra, and whilst there contracted influenza, necessitating her having to enter the District Hospital. After a month in the institution she passed away on Thursday as stated. The family surviving are one son, Fred, of Grong Grong, and three daughters, Mrs. R Kelly (Brisbane), Mrs. O'Grady (Sydney) and Mrs. C. Fraser (Bondi). Mrs. W. M. Robinson, of Tumut, is a sister and Mr. John McKinnon, of Brungle, a brother. One brother, Mr. Archie McKinnon, of Gundagai, predeceased her. The funeral took place on Saturday, the remains being interred in the Ardlethan cemetery. |