Ellen Agnes GRADY (1883-1958)

Ellen Agnes GRADY,¹ daughter of Cornelius GRADY (1846-1888) and Margaret RYAN (1851-1940), was born in 1883 at the BDM District in Yarralumla, NSW (now ACT).^2,3,4 Her relationship to Ellen is Maternal Grandmother. her interests included music. She is reputed to have been a very good singer.⁵

Ellen married Thomas Patrick MCNAMARA on 14 October 1903 in Tharwa, NSW.^6,7,8

As indicated by the birth districts of their children, between 1903 and 1914 they lived at "Hilltop" in Burra, NSW. They sold the property in 1914 to John Kelly and moved to "Cartney" in The Pilliga where they lived for about four years. Their wheat growing operation on a property of about 2500 acres was successful in the first year but the following three were unsuccessful due to drought and they were eventually forced to leave the property. They left The Pilliga for Cowra where they had a child born in 1917. They then moved on to Orange, NSW at Spring St. which is where they were living when their daughter Johanna was born on 26 September 1926. They later moved to 49 Shadforth St Lakemba, NSW. They were known to be there by 4 November 1933. They both lived there until their deaths.^9,10

she died (aged 75) on 30 May 1958 at 49 Shadforth St in Punchbowl, NSW.^11,12,13 She was buried in 1958 in Woronora Cemetery in Sutherland, NSW.^12,14

The whole Canterbury-Bankstown Rugby League first grade team had a New Years Eve party at her backyard in 1934. They gave her a teaset (valued at 2/6 from Coles) to say thankyou for using her place.¹⁵

Thomas Patrick MCNAMARA¹ was the son of Michael MCNAMARA (1831?-1919) and Mary COMMINS (1837?-1913). He and Ellen Agnes GRADY had the following children: