Individual Details

Elizabeth Jane "Bessie" STRAHAN

(1878 - 6 May 1943)

Events

Birth	1878	(now South Melbourne) - Emerald Hill, Victoria, Australian Colonies
Occupation	1905	began her working life as a teacher but changed course & did her nurse's training at Bendigo Hospital. She took up a nursing position in Hay, NSW and then Taree & went on to be appointed the first matron of the Manning River District hospital in Taree, NSW
Marriage	1 Sep 1905	"Martinville", Taree, New South Wales, Australia - William Burnham BOYCE
Alt name	1 Sep 1905	Elizabeth Jane "Bessie" BOYCE
Death	6 May 1943	Taree, New South Wales, Australia
News Pub (ind)	14 May 1943	her obituary in the Dungog Chronicle read "Widespread sympathy was felt throughout the Manning and surrounding districts when it became known that Mrs. Elizabeth Jane (Bessie) Boyce, wife of, Mr. W. B. Boyce, proprietor of the 'Manning River Times,' had passed away early on Thursday morning last. The late Mrs. Boyce had been ill for several weeks and on Sunday, May 2nd, she was conveyed to the Manning River District Hospital, where she underwent a very serious operation on the following morning. For about 25 years the late Mrs. Boyce had been a sufferer from diabetes. Four of her brothers took part in the Great War, one of whom (Arthur) was killed at Pozieres. Mrs. Boyce, who was a native of Emerald Hill, Melbourne (Vic.), was the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Richard Strahan, her father being a well-known and esteemed member of the Victorian Education Department. His daughter commenced her career by following in her father's footsteps as a pupil teacher. However, she felt the call of the nursing profession and, giving up teaching, entered the Bendigo Hospital as a trainee. Gaining her A.T.N.A. certificate, she later on went to Hay and was a member of the hospital staff there for a time. The M.R.D. Hospital having advertised for a nurse, Nurse Strahan's application was accepted and shortly afterwards she was appointed Matron at a very early age for such a respon sible position — -being the first certificated matron of the institution, and under her guidance it was made a training school for nurses. She was a most capable nurse and her presence radiated sunshine and healing. There are some in this district who will have recollections of her kindly ministrations at the institution. The first trainee to gain her certificate at the hospital was Mrs. E. Manners (nee Nurse E. Trotter), Florence St., Taree, who commenced and had part of her training under Matron Strahan, and friendship, which ripened with the succeeding years, sprang up between them. During Mrs. Boyce's illness for about three weeks at her home, prior to removal to hospital, she was devotedly cared for by Mrs. Manners. Others who also commenced their nursing career under Matron Strahan were Miss Hannah Pankhurst and Miss Helen Saxby. It was whilst Matron Strahan was in charge of the M.R.D. Hospital that she was married to Mr. W. B. Boyce, of Taree, by Canon Phillips. During the Great War, Mrs. Boyce was an enthusiastic worker for the War Chest Patriotic Fund and, whilst her health permitted down the years she had been an active member of the Country Women's Association (and secretary for some time), Hospital Auxiliary (of which she was president for a term), a foundation member of the Taree Methodist Ladies' Church Aid Society (treasurer for some time), and a member of Taree Red Cross Society. The late Mrs. Boyce was a lover of flowers. She was devoted to her family circle and home and the well-being of these was at all times her constant care and consideration. In addition to her sorrowing husband a son (Dick) and three daughters (Margaret, Thora and Beth) are left to mourn their loss. There is also a daughter-in-law and grandson. Brothers of the late Mrs. Boyce are: Messrs. W. T. Strahan (Adelaide), Frank Strahan (Prime Minister's Department, Canberra) , Edward Strahan (Melbourne), and Robert Strahan (Bendigo). Sisters are Mrs. Lucy Harris and Mrs. W. Dowell (both of Bendigo). A striking tribute of sympathy was expressed by the largely attended ser vice, held in the Taree Methodist Church, on Thursday night, when the building was fully occupied. Many beautiful floral tributes received from sorrowing and sympathising friends covered and surrounded the casket, and later on were placed on the monument at the intersection of Victoria and Manning Streets. The service was conducted by Rev. W. T. Cross, who paid the following tribute to the late Mrs. Boyce: We are gathered here to-night in order to express our sympathy with the bereaved. The shock of parting has come with tragic suddenness. All our hearts are touched and are full of Christian tenderness as we gather to pay our tribute of affection. We pray that the God of all comfort will give comfort to the sorrowing family. Mrs. Boyce was a woman of strong character and striking personality, a woman of ability who had painstakingly fitted herself to meet life and its demands. She could tolerate nothing shoddy or half-hearted. All her work was well done — she could be satisfied with no thing less. What she meant to the husband and family only they can tell. We can only have the faintest idea. Yet we know that she was a fount of inspiration and her wisdom was ever apparent. She was loyal and devoted and sought for those she loved nothing less than the highest and the best. To many — how many, who can tell — she has been kindness personified. She had a warm heart, easily touched by the knowledge of another's need. There are many to day who thank God for her goodness and generosity. We of the parsonage have received much kindness and have on various occasions been surprised at the extent of her thought and care for others. We learned to admire her courage, a courage that never failed. For years she suffered ill heath and was prevented from taking active part in church or social life. Yet her intelligent interest in all matters of importance never flagged. Her physi cal activities were limited; her mind and sympathies were unlimited. To the end she never gave in, never gave up. With a courage few could equal she faced the last attempt to save her life, knowing all the possibilities involved. We say farewell to a gallant soul ... At the expressed wish of the late Mrs. Boyce the remains were cremated and this service took place privately at Beresfield Crematorium on Friday ..."

Families

Spouse

William Burnham BOYCE (1879 - 1957)

Father	Richard STRAHAN (1843 - 1917)
Mother	Margaret Jane Low TAIT (1855 - 1882)
Sibling	Anthony STRAHAN (1876 - 1895)
Sibling	Richard STRAHAN (1877 - 1897)
Sibling	William Tait STRAHAN (1879 - 1969)
Sibling	Arthur STRAHAN (1881 - 1916)

Endnotes