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Patricia left school at the age of 13 to look after her bedridden mother who was suffering from Parkinson's Disease. She was also asked to take over her sister Betty's role as cleaner for her Aunty Tess's business running the Commercial Hotel in Coonamble, when Betty joined the A.M.W.A.S. (Australian Medical Women's Army Service) when she turned 18 and moved to Sydney.
Pat married Sydney White in Coonamble in April 1950 and they had seven children. Besides raising her children Pat also had to look after her husband Syd after he lost his arm in a car accident in 1969. She looked after her father William as well, until his death on 14 July 1968. She also raised two teenage sisters, Margaret and Mary Hughes, from a family who lived down the street from her home as the girls' mother was very ill. Mary lived with Pat and Syd until she married Alec Eason.
Pat lived out her life in Coonamble where she was born and raised and loved her town and community very much. Her home was always open to family and friends. The kettle was always boiling and her kitchen table was full to capacity on many an occasion.
She suffered from a bad heart for many years and after recovering from a heart valve replacement she spent a great deal of time in the ICU unit of RPA Hospital in Camperdown, Sydney, in 2007, after a few bad turns. The doctors said she had worn her heart out by working so long and so hard. When all had but given up hope of her recovery, Pat surprised all and survived for two more years, going home to Coonamble vowing to stay in her home, which she did. She collapsed in her home in June 2009, and passed away peacefully in her beloved home town with her family around her as she wished.
Submitted by Susan Margaret Ecob and Robyn Elizabeth Allman nee Price
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Gilgandra Weekly (NSW : 1942 - 1955), Thursday 4 May 1950, page 2
Patricia Joan Farrell, second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Farrell, of Coonamble, was married last week to Sydney James White, second son of Mr. and Mrs. Jack White, of Coonamble. The bride wore a powder blue crepe frock trimmed on the skirt with coffee coloured lace, and her halo-shaped hat was of pink and blue plaited straw, she had pink accessories. Joan Farrell (the bride's sister) was bridesmaid, and Mr. Jack White best man.
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Coonamble Times - June 2009
Letter to the Editor
Dear Editor,
My family and I wish to thank the caring people of Coonamble for their love and support shown to my sister, Mrs Patricia White, during her illness over the past two years.
We wish to thank the doctors, hospital staff and nurses and Carol and Pam, District Nurses. Thanks to all the Home Care ladies especially Toni Ryan and Denise.
Our thanks also to Pathology, Meals on Wheels, Librarians, and the business houses who delivered groceries to her house.
We gratefully remember Pat's Church Family particularly Sister Finns' weekly visits. Pat looked forward so much to the visits of good friends Irene, Wendy, Joan, Herta and Joan who cared so much.
The respect shown to the Family during Pat's funeral by the people of Coonamble was much appreciated. Pat loved the town greatly.
I would also like to thank Pat's family - her children, daughters and sons in law, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and all my Coonamble friends for the concern shown to me when I visited her during her stay in hospital and after at home.
Yours sincerely
Joan Ecob and Family
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