Saturday 16 April 2016

A Tribute to Ann


This week's Sepia Saturday prompt shows what was called a Polyphoto, produced by a company whose slogan was "one of them must be good!".  Last week I wrote a small tribute to my late sister-in-law Penny, and this week I'm writing one to my other sister-in-law Ann, who also died too young, at just 52.  I found the following two photographs printed together just as they appear below, in proof size, when I was looking through my late father-in-law Bob Featherston's collection in the hope of finding a baby photograph or two of my husband, Ann's brother. I can't say there were 48, like the polyphoto set above, but there certainly were lots more very similar small photos of Ann, first child of her parents Bob and Mary.

These photos were taken at East Park Hull in June 1950. Ann and her parents traveled from Melbourne to the UK when she was just a few months old.
More small prints of Ann as a young child, now back in Australia. The little red cane chair she is sitting in still decorates the front room of her mother's house.


Ann on the occasion of her LLB graduation in April 1973

Ann went on to pursue a successful career as a lawyer, practising both as a solicitor and later as a senior lawyer in the Commonwealth Government. In her spare time she was a very keen sewer and embroiderer and we have many framed examples of her work. She also travelled extensively. Ann was diagnosed with breast cancer in her early 30s, but she recovered and enjoyed a full life until 2001, when despite never having smoked, she was found to have developed lung cancer. Although not proved, this later cancer may have been caused by the burning effect of the strong radiation treatment that Ann had undergone some 16 years earlier.

A small example of Ann's cross stitch work 


I'm not sure if this is Ann's own garden, but when she wasn't stitching she was a keen gardener


Ann's last Christmas, in 2001, seen here with six of her eight nieces and nephews. She was their favourite aunty, who always made time to have fun with them. They valued her advice and also greatly enjoyed her cooking.


Some of the many faces of our new granddaughter Lucy Ann, named for her Great Aunty Ann, who would no doubt have loved her dearly, as we do. Lucy is just three months old, but the next time she visits her great grandmother Mary she'll probably be big enough to sit in that same little red chair, and we'll tell her stories about Ann.


Ann Lesley Featherston, 1949-2002
RIP


For more takes on this week's theme, visit Sepia Saturday #326

9 comments:

Barbara Rogers said...

How wonderful to have photos of baby Ann, as well as a good story about her life. Thanks for sharing it with us.

Little Nell said...

That was such a beautiful tribute to Ann, who died far too young. Your new grandaughter is gorgeous too!

Alan Burnett said...

What lovely photos - one and all. We had a little cane chair just like that at home, but sadly, it hasn't survived.

Barbara said...

Hello Jo, your little granddaughter is beautiful! I was very sad to read about Ann. 52 is far too young. My lovely brother in law died just before his fiftieth birthday, it felt unfair at the time, and it still does. Enjoy your time with your family. You picked a lovely time of the year to make the trip. Karen, Steven and our granddaughters came for Christmas, but it was wet and cold a lot of the time. I think they might come later next time, although it is our turn to visit them. We are saving hard in the hope we can make it in a couple of years.

Unknown said...

Lovely words about Ann; I am so sorry for that loss.

Lavender and Vanilla Friends of the Gardens said...

Sad and uplifting, to keep the memory of a wonderful aunty. Black and white baby photos are so endearing. Your baby grand daughter is delightful. She will adore the little red cane chair and keep the stories going.

Tattered and Lost said...

How wonderful that Ann is remembered in this way with such a beautiful new child.

La Nightingail said...

A lovely tribute to an obviously lovely and well-loved lady, and a darling namesake. I love the idea of taking a picture of Lucy Ann sitting in the little red wicker chair when the time comes. So good it was saved. :)

Jofeath said...

The weather in London next week does not look that great I must say, showery and with only 9/10 degree maximum temperatures, but never mind, that's not what we're going for. We'll be taking winter woollies ☺ 26/27 here in Melbourne today.