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Joan Marion nee Page Farid is
daughter of Ida Marion nee Rixon Page 1912 -1988
granddaughter of Alice Jean nee McLachlan Rixon 1880 - 1967
great granddaughter of Daniel McLachlan 1852 - 1917
great great granddaughter of "McLachlan of Avondale"
in AUSTRALIA since 1850
Aunty Grace
Grace Marion McLachlan 1887 - 1970
daughter of Daniel McLachlan 1852 - 1919
granddaughter of "McLachlan of Avondale"
in Australia since 1850
Your posture, deportment & dress
Suggested "aunt" would be more suitable means of address;
Grace Marion McLachlan 1887 - 1970 photo abt
1906
But you were truly named Aunty
Grace
One full of patient love & giver of undeserved favours.
You did not aim to attract
affection
But your nieces & nephews glimpsed your love & loved you back.
Grace Marion McLachlan - photo abt 1915 in
Sydney NSW
You lived in the shadow of your
elder sister
Who was our Grandma & whose presence demanded attention.
Yet through your quiet
faithfulness
We knew you to be gentle, mischievous, honest & loving.
Grace Marion McLachlan with four of her
sisters - Cliffside at Manly NSW abt 1929
I loved staying with you when I
was sent
To your house, for my edification or as your companion.
Even though there were no toys,
lollies or TV
YOU were there @ "Heath Cottage"; & there was a sunny kitchen porch
Grace Marion McLachlan - home from 1940 with
chn of sis Eva who died 1940 Glengrove @ Metz NSW
Where I watched you working
And where I ate frozen cream from the top of the milk sprinkled with
sugar.
There were prickly bushes with red
berries
And multi-coloured chooks who laid brown speckled eggs of all sizes.
second photo Glengrove @ Metz NSW
There was an old strawberry patch
From which I could eat all that my small hands could find.
There was a tin tub & a chip
heater
That would heat water; but it would make frightening sounds when lit.
Water was limited. Adjusting the
heat was tricky;
But it was never too much trouble for you to prepare my evening's bath.
Grace Marion McLachlan - mature years - at
Elaine Simmons wedding @ Bathurst NSW in 1957
There was conversation &
discussion
As you washed up in the large tin dish & I wiped with linen tea towels.
You informed me of the
Presbyterisn Catechism.
You taught how God's armour covers me like Christ's Cross as I put it on.
Eva nee McLachlan Simmons - toddler son Bill
Simmons - Grace McLachlan n cared for him following death Eva in 1940
You created your private space on
a veranda.
It was invaded weekly by a horde of children but you never complained.
I never heard you boast or gossip
I saw you serve others as loving duty & always with the utmost "grace".
Eva nee McLachlan Simmons - twin daus Shirley
& Elaine Grace Marion McLachlan cared for them folowing death of Eva in
June 1940
Yes, you were "Grace" in name &
deed.
Were you aware that you were loved & respected by all who truly knew you?
written by -
Joan Marion nee Rixon-Page Farid
during 2002,
@ Weston in Canberra, in the Capital Territory of AUSTRALIA
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