After an illness extending over two years Mrs. Mary Ferris, an old colonist of 57 years, passed away at the residence of her daughter in Forrest Avenue, South Bunbury, on Tuesday, May 29, at the age of 78 years.
She arrived in Fremantle in the good ship Robert Morrison on March 8, 1866, and from that port left for Bunbury a few days later, taking up her residence at Australind, where she resided until the time of her death. She married the late John Ferris in 1867, the issue being three sons and five daughters. Her husband died 40 years ago, and she was left with a young family to provide for, which was no easy task during those early days. Five of her children predeceased her (two sons and three daughters).
The last five months she was practically an invalid and confined to the house. She leaves one son, two daughters and a number of grandchildren and great grandchildren to mourn their loss. With the passing of Mrs. Ferris practically the whole of the old Australind pioneers have gone to their long last rest.
The funeral, which took place on Wednesday afternoon, was attended by a number of relatives and friends, and the remains were laid to rest in the old R. C. Cemetery [Bunbury], the Rev. Dean Smyth officiating at the grave side. The pall-bearers were: Messrs. F. Caporn, A. Scheikowsky, J. Fletcher, T. Rogers, E. Tyler, and J. Milligan. Wreaths were received from the following: — Mick, Nellie, and Norah (son and daughters), Mr. and Mrs. T. Stokes, and Lily, Mrs. Bradley Gardiner, Mr. and Mrs. Roy Keddie, Mrs. Doyle and Miss Rowland, Mrs. Frank Rogers and family, Mr. and Mrs. G. Johnston and family, Will and Pearlie (grandchildren), Mr. and Mrs. Bartley and family, Mr. and Mrs. J. King, and Mrs. Prout and family. The funeral arrangements were in the hands of Messrs. W. Brittain and Son.
(Bunbury Herald and Blackwood Express, 1 June 1923)