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