Fords of Katandra

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Norm
1925

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Norm at Tocumwal NSW
1938

Family Memories

 Norm 1942

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Mary Dawn FORD
Headstone at Newhaven, Staplyton, QLD

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Family Memories

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Francis Thomas Ford & Mary Kingston Harcourt's Wedding 
L-R Caroline May Ford, Francis Thomas Ford, Mary Kingston Harcourt, George Grant Harcourt (Mary's brother).

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Mary & Frank Ford
Surfers Paradise Qld
1988

Family Memories

Mary was  a true 'country' woman.  She was raised on the Devenish farm and remained there until she married Frank.  She had 5 children.  She was a kind, loving and devoted mother, remaining gentle, caring and loyal to her children at all times.  She had a calm disposition and it was never her nature to discipline her children vigorously.  Indeed the love that she showed to her children was the equal of the affection she had for friends and acquaintances in the community.  She was never critical and always accepted circumstances.  In fact her nature was so warm and gentle, she enjoyed broad and complete popularity in the community.

She was a very loyal and hardworking wife.  She personified the saying 'behind every successful man is a good woman'.  Frank was an ambitious and driven man in business and community activities and Mary provided the supportive home environment to enable Frank to manage his business matters with undiminished focus and effort.  At times, his drive required added patience on Mary's behalf and she met these demands undaunted.

Mary was very active in the community as a member of the Country Women's Assocation.  She was also engaged in charity events, school functions, church gatherings and service organisations in which Frank was a member.

At home, in addition to nurturing her children, she cooked traditionally, was an accomplished dressmaker and attended to her home and garden with care.

In 1955, somewhat reluctantly, she left to travel overseas for 9 months with Frank.  She left two young boys at home in Benalla in the care of a fond Aunt - Meg James.  Intitially, she was worried about the boys and full enjoyment of her trip overseas was not realised.  Later, while in London, professional advice urged Mary to relax and enjoy the pleasure of travel.  This pleasure was duly manifest in subsequent overseas trips when she travelled with Frank to Asia, England and America.

A health problem that Mary had during her pregnancies was varicose veins.  This problem was duly corrected by a skilfull surgeon.  However, circulatory problems were to impact her in later life.  Nevertheless and in general, she maintained good health into the 1990's only to find her quality of life in the final years compromised by lengthy stays in nursing homes.

Ultimately, she lived a full and active life.  She worked hard and enjoyed the fruits of that work during her 'retirement' years.

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Thelma & Phil 1942

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Thelma

Family Memories

Thelma Eileen Wilson is the third child of Arthur Joseph Wilson & Mary (Lewis) Wilson
Arthur Joseph Wilson was born in Sydney NSW approx 1891 (Arthurs parents are listed as unknown on his marriage certificate, he was a ward of state) at the age of 2 he went to Victoria.
Arthur married Mary Lewis on the 27th June 1914, at St Josephs Church, Collingwood Victoria.
Arthur died at the age of 62 on the 23rd September 1953, of
Paroxysmal Auricular Tachycardia (Bouts of rapid, regular heart beating that originate in the upper chamber (atrium) of the heart due to abnormalities in the atrioventricular node. 
an  arrhythmia in which the abnormality is in the electrical system of the heart, while the heart muscle and valves may be normal.)
Carcinoma - stomach (Cancer)
Ascites - excess fluid in the space between the tissues lining the abdomen and abdominal organs (the peritoneal cavity). usually due to Liver Diease
He was living at 37 Jordon Street Ashburton (Shire of Mulgrave, Melbourne) occupation listed as Gas meter reader
Arthur was buried ? at the New Cheltenham Cemetery on the 25th September 1953
Mary Lewis was born in Melbourne Approx 1892 (Mary's Parents are also listed as unknown on the marriage certificate as she was also a ward of state)
Mary died at the age of 68 on the 27th August 1960, of
Cerebro Vascular accident (Stroke)
High Blood pressure
congestive heart failure
She was living at 37 Jordon Street Asburton (Shire of Mulgrave, Melbourne) Occupation listed as  Home Duties
Mary was buried ? at the New Cheltenham Cemetery on the 29th August 1960

Arthur & Mary had 7 Children
Living Female ,
Living Female,
Thelma Eileen  1917?-1950
Living Male,
Living Male,
Living Male,
Kevin John Wilson the youngest child  born approx 1935
died on the 13th July 1984. of a heart attack, at the age of 49
He was living in Mentone, Victoria , and his occupation was listed as a security guard, and was unmarried
Kevin was buried ? at the New Cheltenham Cemetery on 17th July 1984

References:
Marriage Certificate No# 4380/125
Death Certificates, No# 10779, 11245 & 17319/84