Mary Jane Elizabeth Piesse. Mary Jane Elizabeth Piesse. Mary Jane Elizabeth Piesse. Mary Jane Elizabeth Piesse. Mary Jane Elizabeth Piesse. Mary Jane Elizabeth Piesse. Mary Jane Elizabeth Piesse.
Mary Jane Piesse (nee Chipper)
Katanning’s “First Lady”
Mary Jane Elizabeth Chipper was born in Perth in 1854, and died on 5 April, 1936. She was laid to rest at Katanning Cemetery. She was married to Frederick Henry PIESSE on 18 October, 1877, at Kojonup by the Rev. W. Wardell Johnson.
Miss Mary Jane Chipper was in charge of the Kojonup Post Office and was one of the first woman telegraphists in Australia. Mary Jane became Mrs. F.H. Piesse on 18 Oct 1877 at Kojonup, not long after his arrival in Williams. She became his lifelong help mate, freely entering into his political work and assisting him in every possible way, both in the home and business. Their first place of residence was the first Post Office at Williams, now the Police Station. Their second residence was the old store in Williams.
When they arrived in Katanning they lived in the old bungalow opposite the Church of England. 1902 saw them move to Kobeelya (which was considered to be one of the finest mansions in WA) where Frederick resided until his death on 29 June 1912. Mary Jane lived the remaining years of her life at “Kulal” which was built by the eldest of her sons, Frederick.
The couple had five children:
Frederick Thomas Roper PIESSE,
Born 1878 – died 1925 in Randwick, NSW
Married in 1905 to Mildred May Jackson
Cecil Earnest Charles PIESSE,
Born 1882 – died 2 August, 1915, at Marvel Loch, WA
Married in 1905 to Florence Wilson
Harold Vivian PIESSE,
Born 1884 – died 15 September,1949 in Katanning
Married in 1911 to Elizabeth Martin Verney
Melville Hubert PIESSE,
Born 29 March,1890 – died 1920 at Rabaul, New Guinea
Married 25 September, 1912 to June Tarleton
Florence Ethel PIESSE (Reid),
Born 1893 – died 5 December, 1980 in Katanning
Married in 1923 to Robert Reid of Kojonup
Death of Mary Jane Piesse
Newspaper reports.
OBITUARY.
DEATH OF MRS F. H. PIESSE.
Southern Districts Advocate
6 April, 1936
Regret was expressed on all hands on Saturday last when it became known that Mrs F. H. Piesse, one of the few remaining links with the very earliest settlement of our district, and particularly of our town, had passed to her long rest.
Mary Jane Elizabeth Piesse, born in Perth on the 30th January, 1854, was the daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Chipper. Mrs Chipper was one of the Maley’s, the old pioneer family of Greenough Flats, Western Australia.
Mrs Piesse received her education at the Convent in Perth and, when a girl, lived with her parents at “Minnerrellup,” which is now known as “Glenlossy,” and is about a mile out of Kojonup. She spent most of her girlhood days in the Kojonup district and later married Hon. F. H. Piesse, C.M.G., and then resided in the Williams district. She was a great helpmate to her husband, always entering into his business undertakings.
Whilst in the Williams the well-known firm of F. and C. Piesse was founded and Mrs Piesse’s sister, Miss Minnie Chipper, married Mr C. A. Piesse, and they took up their residence at the Arthur River, known in those days as the “125 mile.”
Kobeelya c 1910
In 1886, Mr and Mrs F. H. Piesse came to live in Katanning in the old bungalow, opposite the Church of England, this being the first residence erected in the township, where they both resided for many years, and later in life when Mr Piesse was appointed Commissioner of Railways under the Forrest Government they took up residence in Perth. When their family had grown up they returned to Katanning to live in “Kobeelya,” which is now known as the “Kobeelya Girls’ School.”
Mrs Piesse had continually resided in our district since that date. During those years she had endeared herself to the residents of the town and district. She always entered whole-heartedly into the welfare of the people and will be greatly missed by her many friends. She had always taken a great interest in St. Andrew’s Church, the Ladies’ Guild and the C.W.A.
Some ten weeks ago it was necessary for her to undergo a serious operation, and although she made a marvellous fight to regain her health, unfortunately she passed away on Saturday last at 12.30.
The only surviving children are Mrs Robert Reid, of Kojonup, and Mr Harold V. Piesse, M.L.C., of Katanning.
The remains were laid to rest in the Katanning cemetery, beside those of her late husband, as we were about to go to Press this afternoon, and further particulars with list of the wreaths will appear in our next edition.
FUNERAL.
MRS. F. H. PIESSE.
Southern Districts Advocate
13 April, 1936
The funeral of the late Mrs. F. H. Piesse, whose death was referred to in our last issue, took place on Monday last, the Ven. Archdeacon Burbidge performing the last sad rites.
In his address Mr. Burbidge remarked very feelingly on the fine spirit and fortitude shown at all times by Mrs Piesse in the face of adversity, proving herself a real Christian.
Coffin bearers were Messrs. A. Severin, A. Radford, J. Sturgess, E. Cory, J. W. Anthony and A. J. Morrell. Pallbearers being Messrs. Hon. A. Thomson, M.L.C., W. E. Richmond, Eli Quartermaine, W. D. Grover, R. Krakouer, C. Haddleton, A. Prosser, W. J. Rogers, W. E. Cronin, M. Beeck, R. S. Bell and Frank Norrish.
Chief mourners were Hon. H. V. Piesse, M.L.C. (son), Robert H. Reid (son-in-law), Frank Piesse and Drew Watson (brothers-in-law), Francis Piesse (grandson), Austin, Edmund, Leslie, Hector, William and Mervyn Piesse (nephews), Claude Piesse (cousin), Maley, Arthur and Don Chipper (nephews), and J. H. Norrish.
Amongst those who attended the funeral were Messrs. F. M. Bowden (representing Mrs. R. L. Richardson and family), Geo. Anderson, C. Worsley, A. Hawksworth, E. N. Walker, P. H. Crossley, J. Fairclough, Snr., G. B. Ball, G. McIntyre, A. W. G. Phillip, A. S. Jarvis, E. A. White, E. H. Nicholas, N. W. Broun, A. L. Gilbert, J. Fraser, C. Shaw, R. Scott, W. Neary, I. Synnott, G. E. Meldrum, F. Gilbert, Harry Meldrum, D. Gillon, N. McDonald, E. Thomas, G. A. Beeck, A. Keirle, Herbert Hood, J. Sawers, C. Bishop,
M. Flaherty, C. G. Rhead, A. S. Tree, E. C. Pope, A. H. Parkes, W. P. Bird, A. G. Hobbs, G. M. Ferguson, F. Hillman, A. T. Crouch, A. A. Stevens, C. G. Clifton, G. E. H. House, A. Dennis, G. Rodwell, R. L. Spencer, A. A. Chapman, S. H. Dale, Max Ball, J. Barkley, H. W. A. Tylor, Ted Hoare, V. Gilman, A. G. Washington, L. S. Bell, George Simper, A.W. Kruger, J. Munro, S. W. Longmire, J. H. Charlton, A. D. Smith, E. Jones, W. Dennis, T. R. Alderson, J. S. Goode, G. McLeod, N. B. O’Halloran, T. Stayt, H. C. Ball,
J. G. Mouritz, F. J. Gulley, J. R. Downer, Cliff Anderson, J. A. McDonald, G. Sturges, W. Folland, J. A. Meldrum, R. Kuhlken, R. Bluntish, W. E. Rischbieth, C. J. Gunter, P. W. Temby, K. E. Ball, W. J. Riley, G. Noonan, F. Higman, W. Stewart, M. Balston, W. M. Green, D. B. Feakes, F. A. Rogers, J. R. Tunney, A. W. Partridge, E. J. Fewings, F. J. P. Noonan, E. F. Severin, A. F. Watts, M.L.A., T. R. Wilkinson, F. C. Wingrove, J. M. Thomson, Ross Anderson, Mr. and Mrs. Eli Quartermaine, Jnr., Mr. and Mrs. Hanna,
Mr. and Mrs. C. Haddleton, Mr. and Mrs. Marris, Mr. and Mrs. W. L. Holly, Mr. and Mrs. S. H. Dale, Mesdames Dilworth, W. H. Watson, Saunders, Dickson, Eli Quartermaine Snr., E. E. Church, E. A. Mouritz, Ball, L. S. Bell, J. E. Jones, Misses J. Saunders, A. Bell, M. Tunney, Woollett, O’Connor.
Wreaths were forwarded by the following: — Florence and Harold, Bessie and Harold, Betty and Francis, Kathleen and Edgar, Robert Reid and Grandchildren, May Piesse, N. Piesse, Mrs. Cecil Piesse, Gwendoline and Cecil, Bertha and Drew, Claude, Margaret and Pam, Ruby (Tas.), Myrtle and Frank, Vera and Harold, Ruby and Austin, Ina and Jim, Eva and Sep., Uncle Frank, Sarah and family, Uncle Alf and family, Arthur and Lall, Don Chipper, Maley Chipper and family,
Leslie Piesse and family, Mrs. Frank Wilson and Mabel, Frank Wilson, Jnr., Fred Chipper and family, Albert and Vera, Louisa and family, Flora and family, June Piesse (Sydney), Mrs. Mary Farrelly, Mrs. Muriel Brennan, Milly and John, Dr. and Mrs. F. M. House, Mr. and Mrs. Tom Richardson, “Braeside” staff, Mr. and Mrs. H. Lindner, Mr. and Mrs. D. E. Edwards, Mr. and Mrs. Ted Gilchrist and family, Mrs. Justins and Ted, Mr. and Mrs. Pickering and girls, Mrs. Hart, Mrs. Geo. McLeod and family,
Lady Associates of Katanning Golf Club, Dr. and Mrs. E. C. Pope and family, Mr. and Mrs. Cliff. Anderson, Mr. and Mrs. E. F. Severin, Mr. and Mrs, E. F. Cory and family, Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Morrill, Katanning Stock and Trading Co., Mr. and Mrs. A. H. Parkes, Directors of Katanning Flour Mills Limited, Mr. and Mrs. F. T. F. Crosby, Mr. and Mrs. F. M. Jenner and family, Rector and Vestry St. Andrew’s Church, Katanning, Mr. and Mrs. A. Hoglin, Elder,Smith and Co. Ltd., Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Rogers,
Mr. and Mrs. Harold Hassel and family, Noel McDonald and family, Mrs. T. Norrish, Snr., Mr. and Mrs. Robert Scott, Mr. and Mrs. F. C. Wingrove and family, Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Old, Mr. and Mrs. W. Broun, Mr. and Mrs. F. Higman, A. and F. Keirle, Mr. and Mrs. G. McIntyre and George, Mrs. F. M. Jamieson and family, Mr. and Mrs. Ross Anderson and family, Mr. and Mrs. Geo. House and family, Mr. and Mrs. Roland Davies, Mr. and Mrs. T. J. Page and family, Mrs. Worsley and family, Mr. and Mrs. E. H. Nicholas,
Employees Katanning Flour Mill’s, Mr. A. H. Dickson and Lorna, All at “Indinup,” Directors Goode Durrant and Murray Ltd., Katanning Golf Club, Dr. and Mrs. Caldwell, Arthur, Dorothy and Mrs. M. K. Watts, Directors Richardson and Co. Ltd., Mr. and Mrs. Vivian Cockram, the Wanke families, Goldsbrough Mort and Co. Ltd., Katanning Butter Factory, Manager and Staff Palatine Insurance Co., Mr. and Mrs. Alderson, Members Marloo Club, Employees Richardson and Co. Ltd.,
C.W.A. Katanning Branch Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Walter and family, Mrs. W. E. Richmond and family, Mr. and Mrs. J. Fitzmaurice, Mrs. W. Pemble, Mrs. E.A. Wilson and family, Katanning Ladies’ Croquet Club, Staff and Employees B.C.D. and Piesse (Perth), Katanning Club, Directors and Members Australian Mill Products Ltd., E. Gilbert and family, Bank of New South Wales, Katanning, Mr. and Mrs. Don Chipper, Mr. and Mrs. John Downer, Mr. and Mrs. G. L. Hardie and family,
Directors Boronia Flour Mills, W. Thomas and Co. (W.A.) Ltd., Members of Mothers’ Union, Mr. and Mrs. Dillworth and Carl, Mr. and Mrs. A. Mouritz and family, Mr. and Mrs. R. Bell, Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Waldie-Forbes and family, Max Noble, Mr. and Mrs. Coxon, Mr. Meldrum and family, Girls Friendly Society of St. Andrew’s, Mrs. Saunders, Snr. and .family, Mr. and Mrs. A. T. Crouch, Guild of St. Andrew’s, Mr. and Mrs. J. G. Mouritz, Mr. and Mrs. A. G. Hobbs, Mr. and Mrs. Inglis Synnott, |Mr. and Mrs. L. Armstrong,
Alan, Les and Bert, Mr. and Mrs. A. G. Bunes, Mr.’ and Mrs. E. S. Bott; Mrs. R. L. Richardson, Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Mathea, Mr, and Mrs. C. Haddleton and family, Mr. and Mrs. Leonard C. Rae, Mr. and Mrs. R. Cobham and Muriel, Mr. and Mrs. Alex. Prosser and family, Mr. and Mrs. Maxwell Richardson, Mr. and Mrs. Les. Gare and Mrs. C. M. Gare, Mr. and Mrs. J. D. Holmes, Mr. and Mrs. H. C. Ball, Mr. and Mrs. C. B. Ball, Mr. and Mrs. Stan Thomson, Mrs. E. Joy, Brian and Peg, Mrs. Alex Ball and family,
Mr. and Mrs. Montague Balston, Mr. and Mrs; Eli Quartermaine and family, Mr. and: Mrs. E. L Fewings, Mr. and Mrs. J. F. Hillman, Mr. and Mrs. M. Flaherty, Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Anthony, Mrs. E. M. Bagg, Mr. and Mrs. S. H. Dale, Mr. and Mrs. Hanna and family.