Grace Emma (Hancock) Blechynden (1858 - 1947)

Born 1858 in Dale River, Western Australia

Ancestors

Wife of Joseph Blechynden — married 1893 in Beverley, Western Australia

Died 1947 at about age 89 in York, Western Australia, Australia

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Biography

Grace Emma Hancock was born in 1858 at Dale River, Western Australia (Australia). She was the sixth and youngest daughter of George Hancock and Sophia Gregory. ^[1]

Grace married Joseph Blechynden in 1893 at Beverley, Western Australia. ^[2]

People - LifeTree

Death of District Pioneer Grace Emma Blechynden. ^[3]
Over the past few years many of the old settlers have passed on, leaving but few who can claim association with the early settlement and pioneering days of the district. It is with regret that we record the further loss in the death of Grace Emma Blechynden, relict of the late Joseph Blechynden, who passed away in the York Hospital on Thursday, May 15, after a short illness. She was aged 88 years. Her passing occasioned considerable regret amongst the legion of friends that she had made during her association with the district, which represents a term of over 40 years, and in her passing the district has lost a link with the past history and a person of character and spirit.
Mrs. Blechynden's parents (Mr. and Mrs. Hancock) arrived in Western Australia from the Old Country by the Warrior in 1830, and their daughter Grace subsequently met and married Joseph Blechynden at Beverley.
There were two children of the union George Blechynden, of Pingelly, and Mrs. G. Worner, at one time of Lomos, but now of Greenhills. The couple came to Pingelly in 1904 and took up the Gingaring property east of the line, where they lived and farmed for many years, and were well known and respected members of that community. Following the death of her husband, the property was disposed of, and Mrs. Blechynden has since lived with her children.

She had enjoyed good health in past months, and it was whilst the guest of her daughter at Greenhills that she contracted the illness which brought about her sudden demise. Of kindly disposition, Mrs. Blechynden took an active interest at all times in the spiritual and social life of the community and was a good friend to many early settlers in the district. We extend to her son and daughter our sympathy in the loss of their mother.

The funeral took place on Saturday afternoon when, after a service in St. Luke's Church, the body was laid to rest in the Anglican portion of the Pingelly Cemetery. There was a representative gathering at the church and at the graveside which indicated still further the high esteem in which the deceased lady had been held by residents of this and surrounding districts.

Coffin-bearers were, Messrs. W. O. Scudds, C. P. Green, L. Watson and C. D. Cartwright; whilst pall-bearers were, Messrs. C. Ford, T. Johnstone, C. H. Overheu, Ford-Bailey.
Both services were conducted by Canon E. J. T. Atwell and the funeral arrangements were in the hands of Mr. J. L. Wansbrough, of York.
A large number of floral tributes and messages of condolence were received,

She passed away, aged 88 years, in 1947 at York, Western Australia. ^[4]

Find A Grave: Memorial #99248930 - with photos

Grace was a great aunt of prominent Western Australians, Air Marshal Sir Val Hancock and mining magnate Lang Hancock.

Sources

1. ↑ Western Australia Birth Index #4469/1858
2. ↑ Western Australia Marriage Index #310/1893
3. ↑ Death of District Pioneer (1947, May 29). Pingelly-Brookton Leader
   (WA : 1925 - 1954), p. 2. Retrieved June 27, 2023
4. ↑ Western Australia Death Index #12/1947