The Mitchell Family History

Mavis and Bill Mitchell - their ancestors and descendants

Ruby Lillian THORNE

Female 1895 - 1978  (83 years)


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  • Name Ruby Lillian THORNE  [1
    Born 21 Mar 1895  [2
    Gender Female 
    Notes for biography Neither Ruby nor Mabel married and always lived at home.
    Mavis remembers that she and her sisters and brother loved them both very dearly, and they had a considerable influence on their lives. Ruby would tell the children wonderful adventure stories of imaginary figures "Tommy and Totty" — making them up as she went along.
    Always understanding and encouraging, they were never harshly critical of the children or of others, and always maintained a very positive outlook. They were full of fun and never boring. Like their sister (Mavis's mother, Eva), they had a simple, uncomplicated Christian faith which was demonstrated in the way they lived.
    In her earlier years, Ruby was a very good tennis player playing "A" grade Pennant tennis for Christ Church. Her partner was Eric Whale and they were probably part of a premiership team one year.
    She belonged to the Protestant Alliance Lodge and also sang in Christ Church choir for many years.
    Ruby was for many years the manageress of the Church Missionary Society Tearooms and bookshop. Wedding receptions would sometimes be catered for in the tearooms (Mavis's wedding reception was held there). The Renshaw children were sometimes treated to the left-over jellies and cream.
    When Eva died, Ruby, without hesitation, gave up her position at CMS and took over the household duties, looking after the children until their father returned from New Guinea, when Audrey took over these responsibilities.
    Ruby then took a position as manageress of the Ryrie Street shop, "Handbags & Novelties", where she remained until she retired.
    She never seemed to be sick, and had never been hospitalised until a few weeks before she died of cancer in the Geelong Hospital in September 1978.  [3
    Died 21 Sep 1978  [1
    Person ID I296  Mitchell
    Last Modified 2 Feb 2021 

    Father George THORNE,   b. 12 May 1856,   d. 18 Nov 1931  (Age 75 years) 
    Mother Alice Mary IRWIN,   b. 9 Jun 1859,   d. 21 Nov 1941  (Age 82 years) 
    Family ID F93  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Photos
    ww - Eva with bridesmaid Ruby
    ww - Eva with bridesmaid Ruby
    Source: "What's in a Name #2 - Thorne', page 42
    ww - Mabel & Ruby
    ww - Mabel & Ruby
    Source: "What's in a Name #2 - Thorne', page 37
    ww - Ruby & Eva
    ww - Ruby & Eva
    Source: "What's in a Name #2 - Thorne', page 37
    ww - Ruby Thorne
    ww - Ruby Thorne
    Source: "What's in a Name #2 - Thorne', page 25
    ww - Ruby Thorne
    ww - Ruby Thorne
    Source: 'What's in a Name #2 - Thorne', page 34
    ww - Eva, Ruby & Mabel (from top)
    ww - Eva, Ruby & Mabel (from top)
    Source: 'What's in a Name #2 - Thorne', pages 146
    ww - Mabel & Ruby (& friend Vera)
    ww - Mabel & Ruby (& friend Vera)
    Source: 'What's in a Name #2 - Thorne', page 148
    ww - Ruby
    ww - Ruby
    Source: 'What's in a Name #2 - Thorne', page 148

  • Sources 
    1. [S5] 'What's in a Name #2 - Thorne' by Mavis Mitchell (nee Renshaw), Page 13.

    2. [S5] 'What's in a Name #2 - Thorne' by Mavis Mitchell (nee Renshaw), Page 12.

    3. [S5] 'What's in a Name #2 - Thorne' by Mavis Mitchell (nee Renshaw), page 30 & 35.