Death of long time reader
Former resident of Neerim, Mary Aldersea died on April 2, just a couple of months short of her 99th birthday.
Remarkably, Mary has been a subscriber to The Warragul and Drouin Gazette since 1958 despite moving from her family farm to Dandenong in 1969. Mary maintained a keen interest in the area by evidence of her maintaining her subscription for such a period. Unfortunately, failing health in recent months prevented Mary from reading the paper herself but her interest in local happenings has obviously continued with Mary’s daughters Lois, June and Marion electing to continue the subscription - despite not living in the area.
Born Mary Wilson in 1920, Mary attended Neerim Primary School. After finishing school Mary became the sewing mistress at Neerim Primary. Mary was active in many local organisations and was the secretary of Neerim Memorial Hall Committee for many years.
Mary met Lloyd Aldersea at a local dance, and they were married in 1945. They farmed in the Neerim area until 1969 before moving to Dandenong where Mary worked in home help for the Dandenong City Council until her retirement in 1980. Mary and Lloyd were proud to be grandparents to seven grandchildren and great grandparents to 13.
Lloyd died in 2010 and in 2011 Mary moved into aged care despite still being very independent. Up until recently she continued to enjoy various outside activities and family outings. Mary’s last outing was earlier in the year when she was able to return to Neerim to visit old friends Elizabeth and Ray Davies.