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Note: OBITUARY (Daily Examiner, Grafton, NSW)On February 7, Mrs Mary Walsh passed away suddenly butpeacefully at her home in Grafton. She is survived by herhusband Len, her sons David, Ian, Eric and Richard and herbrother Stan Bailey. Her sisters Lil Cowan, Gertrude Bailey andher brothers Jack and Eric Bailey predeceased her. Born December3, 1915 at Grafton and married on April 13, 1938 in the GraftonBaptist Church, Mary lived all her life in Grafton but for a 10year period during which she lived at Woolgoolga.The last few years of Mary's life were, in one sense, difficultyears. Having lived a very active life, Mary found herselfseverely curtailed by her physical limitations. Nevertheless,she was always able to rise above her circumstances and even inher more recent years, was a faithful member of the GraftonBranch of the Red Cross and a helper in the Meals on Wheelsorganisation, as well as sharing in visitation to other needyfolk.Always busy with her hands, Mary had exceptional taste andability in craftwork, floral art and needlecraft. Her expertisein these areas were shared for the benfit of others.Music played a major part of Mary's life. She had the highhonour of sharing in the State Medal on one occasion and gainedother successes and recognition as she excelled in TrinityCollege Music examination. Only one more examination wouldhave ensured her the very high honour or receiving her "Cap andGown." Being the mother of a very close and devoted family, Marywill always be remembered as a loving wife, and dedicated anddevoted mother to her four children, and an affectionategrandmother to her 13 grandchildren.Although of a reserved and retiring nature, and never one toseek positions of prominance, Mary had that wonderful quality ofmaking and maintaining very close friendships. Many will missher hospitality, warmth and friendship.Mary was one of the longest standing members of the GraftonBaptist Church, which was her spiritual home for 51 years of hermembership. Over the years she served the church through variousministries including Christian Endeavour, SundaySchool teaching, girls' club, organist and ladies fellowship.Tribute was paid to Mary at a capacity packed funeral serviceheld at the Grafton Baptist Church and conducted by Rev DarrellMcKerlie. He praised Mary for the quality of life that she hadlived, a life of dedication to her Lord, to her husbandand family and to her Church. He also informed the congregationthat Mary was both speaking and listening to God moments beforeshe passed into His presence. Beside here was her Bible andPrayer List, symbolic of her communion with the God whom sheserved so faithfully during her lifetime.Members of the Grafton Branch of the Red Cross formed a guard ofhonour in memory of their friend and colleague.Expressions of sympathy have come from friends far and wide,from Kenya (Africa), New Zealand and from various states ofAustralia."
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