The Tumut and Adelong Times 25 Feb 1936
OBITUARY
MRS. JOHN DOWNING
Yet, the old identities of the district join the Great Majority. At Temora on Friday night last, Mrs. Elizabeth Beatrice Downing, widow of the late John Downing, crossed the Rubicon, following on a paralytic stroke, at the age of 75 years. There was no family to the union. Deceased was a daughter of the late Nathaniel Connolly, P.M., of Carcoar. Mrs. Ruth Madigan, Commercial Hotel, Tumut, a niece, was also an adopted daughter, being with her foster father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. Downing, when they owned Oxley Station (Mr. Noel Harris'), where they remained for a number of years. Mr. Downing years ago went to Temora as book-keeper to Mr. Jas. Thom, brother-in-law, the leading store of that town and district, and Mrs. Madigan went with them. Three sisters of deceased are living, viz: Mrs. Riley and Miss Christina Connolly (Sydney) and Sister Rose (of the Order of Dominica, New castle) ; and four brothers, namely: Messrs. Nat., Herbert (Carcoar), Frank (Orange) and Dick (Abbot of Downside Abbey, Bath., Eng., all authority on languages and a professor at Cambridge University for some years). Mrs. J. M. Nash (Adelong), Mrs. Sheahan (Jugiong), Mrs. Will. Thom (Temora) are sisters-in-law, and Messrs. Michael, Charlie, Matt, and Fred. Downing, Tumut, brothers-in-law. The funeral was held on Saturday last, the remains being laid to rest in the Roman Catholic portion of the Temora Cemetery, Rev. Fr. Slattery conducting the service at the graveside. Amongst the local mourners were Mrs. Madigan, Mrs. Nash, Messrs. Michael, Matt, and Fred. Downing. Mrs. Scott, "Milong," Young, sister of Mrs. Madigan, was nursing Mrs. Downing during her illness and seeing that the end was approaching 'phoned Mrs. Madigan as to her foster mother's critical state of health, and immediately she left Tumut per car and was present at the bedside when her aunt passed away. The pallbearers were Messrs. Denmond and Ralph Kiley, Matt. Downing jr., Jas. Thom, O'Brien (nephews) and Macauley. |