Rediscovering Ginninderra:
Margaret Jane Rolfe [Keefe]
Born: 1841; Died: 1918; Married: Edmund Rolfe
Obituary : Mrs Edmund Rolfe (nee O'Keefe)
We deeply regret having to record the death of Mrs. E. Rolfe, senr., who passed peacefully away last Friday morning, 5th inst., at the Parramatta District Hospital. Deceased had been in indifferent health for the past year or so, and notwithstanding every medical care, and her own robust constitution, it became evident during the last few weeks of her illness that there was little or no hope of her recovery. While an inmate of the Parramatta Hospital she was frequently visited by her husband and children. Right Rev. Monsignor O'Reilly, P.P., V.F. (Parramatta), and Rev. Father Briody (Granville) were also constantly in attendance, and administered the last rites of the Church.
The late Mrs. Rolfe was the eldest daughter of an old Queanbeyan family and was born in 1841, her mother being Mrs. Margaret O'Keeffe. Although deceased was 77 years of age at the time of her death, she would have easily passed for more than ten years younger, owing to her cheerful personality and her wonderful spirit and activity. She was widely known and universally respected in the Queanbeyan district, and her death removes from our midst still another of the great-hearted mothers of the Australian bush whom we can so ill afford to lose.
Until quite recently Mrs. Rolfe resided with her husband and family at 'Gold Creek', Ginninderra, where her hospitality was proverbial, and her kindliness of heart such as to win the love and esteem of all who knew her. When the Federal authorities resumed the 'Gold Creek' estate two years ago, she and her husband removed to their new home at Sherwood Grange, near Sydney.
The coffin was brought to St. Gregory's Church, Queanbeyan, on Saturday morning, and a Requiem Mass was celebrated by Father Haydon for the repose of deceased's soul. The funeral, which was largely attended by relatives and personal friends representing the whole town and district, left the church at 2 p.m., the interment taking place in the Catholic portion of the Queanbeyan cemetery. The Rev. Father Haydon read the burial prayers. Many beautiful wreaths were laid on the grave. Mr. C. J. O'Rourke had charge of the funeral arrangements. The late Mrs. Rolfe is survived by her husband and the following nine children: Sister Mary Pierre (Good Samaritan Order), Mrs. J. V. Hibberson ('Glenwood'), Mrs. Flanagan (Sydney), Mrs. Conrie (Sydney), and. Messrs. Anthony, William, James, Patrick and Edward Rolfe. '97 R.I.P.
[Freeman's Journal , Thursday 11 July 1918 p.30]
