John and Bridget McNamara’s
children:
5. Catherine McNamara
5. Catherine McNamara was born on 31 Aug 1853 at sea, on board the Standard (CD, Bound for South Australia: Births and Deaths on Government-Assisted Immigrant Ships 1848-1885). She was baptized on 27 Oct 1853 at the Roman Catholic Church, Morphet Vale, South Australia. Catherine's godparents were James and Catherine (nee Guerin) McNamara (Information from the Morphet Vale Roman Catholic Baptism Records provided by Judy Smith, email dated 22 Feb 2007).
Little is known of the life of Catherine McNamara, but it is known that she moved to Western Australia, this is supported by the information provided on her death certificate which indicates that she arrived in Western Australia around 1900. Also a letter dated 29 July 1913, from ‘Auntie Kate’ addressed to her dear niece, Margaret McNamara, daughter of Denis McNamara, from 24 Collins Crescent, West Perth. A Miss C. McNamara is listed at that address in Wise's Directory of Western Australia for 1913 (Copy of letter from Catherine, in possession of Betty White, provided by Jo Wellins, email dated 20 July 2008).
Catherine McNamara
31 Aug 1853 - 25 Nov 1940
Photograph provided by Jo Wellins
Between 1913 and her death in 1940, Catherine lived at the same addresses as Thomas Henry Hicks and his wife Eliza.
Catherine is listed on Electoral Rolls
at the following addresses:
1916 - 24 Colin Cres, Perth, occupation Nurse;
1925 - 35 Colin Cres, Perth, occupation Home Duties;
1925 (second print) - 400 Newcastle St, Perth, occupation Cook;
1936 - 409 Newcastle St, Perth, occupation Cook
(Ancestry.com.uk,
WA Electoral Rolls, website).
Catherine died on 25 Nov 1940, of Arteriosclerosis
and congestive heart failure, aged 89, at 300 Newcastle St, Perth, Western
Australia. Catherine's occupation was recorded as Spinster, her parent's
names were not recorded, but it was recorded that she had been born
at sea and had been in WA for 40 years (WA Death Certificate No
2226).
Father C.K. Slowey officiated at Catherine's funeral
on 27 Nov 1940, which commenced at St. Brigid's Church, Fitzgerald St
Perth. She was buried at Karrakatta Roman Catholic Cemetery, Western
Australia, in Roman Catholic Section, Compartment KA, Gravesite 0618.
The Grant for the grave was issued to Rachael Hicks,
daughter of Thomas and Eliza Hicks (Copy of Application
for Burial Form supplied by Metropolitan Cemeteries Board, WA).
The following funeral notice was published in the West Australian Newspaper on 27 Nov 1940.
The friends of the late Catherine
McNamara late of 300 Newcastle Street Perth, dear and devoted
friend of Mrs Hicks and family are respectfully informed that
her remains will be interred in the Catholic Cemetery Karrakatta
at 10am this Wednesday. Leaves St Brigid's Church Fitzgerald Street
Perth at 9.30. A requiem mass will be celebrated at 7 o'clock.
Friends attending the funeral may proceed by the 9.35 o'clock
train leaving Perth. C.H. Smith & Co Funeral Directors 281 Newcastle Street Perth |
(Copy of Funeral Notice provided by Judy Smith, email dated 14 Aug 2008).
A second burial in the grave took place on 17 Jul 1956.
The deceased was Cecelia Casey, aged 76, retired Boarding
House Keeper, daughter of John and Mary, who died on 14 Jul 1956 at the
Home of Peace, Subiaco, her birthplace was recorded as Macclesfield, SA.
Father Kelly officiated at the funeral which commenced
at St Joseph's Church, Subiaco (Fiche, WA Deaths 1954-1965, Reg No
1791 and Copy of Application for Burial Form supplied by Metropolitan
Cemeteries Board, WA).
