Avoca Free Press and Farmers’ and Miners’ Journal 4 November 1914
MRS ELIZA SQUIRES
Quite a gloom has been cast over the district by the lamented death of Mrs. Eliza Squires, storekeeper, and one of the oldest and most respected residents of Homebush Lower. The sad event took place on Friday evening at about 8 o’clock.
The deceased, who was 71 years of age, had been a great sufferer for the last three or four years, though she bore her sufferings, which during the last few months have been very severe, with great patience and fortitude. Everything possible was done to relieve her, but despite unremitting medical attention and the best of nursing by her daughters and a trained nurse (Nurse Amy Squires of Bendigo) and Mrs. Lardnersen, of Maryborough, she gradually became worse, and passed peacefully away as above stated after several hours unconsciousness.
The deceased was the relict of the late Mr. John T. Squires who predeceased her about 20 years ago. A family of five sons and five daughters, viz., Messrs Frank, William, Charles, Herbert (Bet Bet) Leopold, and Misses Frances, Laura, Eva, Clarice, and Mrs. R. B. Trounson, are left to mourn the loss of a good and loving Christian mother, who was beloved of all who knew her.
She was of an amiable and generous disposition; in fact nothing seemed to give her greater pleasure than the dispensing of hospitality. Mrs. Squires will be sadly missed by her friends and their numbers are legion, and her demise, although not unexpected, nevertheless created profound regret.
She was born at Mount Barker, South Australia, and came overland with her parents to Victoria at the opening of the gold fields, arriving at Avoca in 1854.
Mrs. Squires has lived in the district ever since that time. The Messrs G and C Rowland of Rathscar, Wm. and J. Rowland (Homebush), A Rowland (Bung Bong) and R Rowland (East Melbourne) are brothers of the deceased.
The flag at the State School was flying half mast on Saturday and the cricket match which was to have taken place between the Excelsior and Imperial Clubs was postponed out of respect for the deceased.
The funeral took place on Sunday, the remains being interred in the Avoca cemetery. The cortege was a very lengthy one, residents of all the surrounding districts assembling to pay their last tribute to one who was held in high esteem. The remains were borne from the hearse to the graveside by the five sons of the deceased and her son-in-law (Mr. R. B. Trounson). The service very impressively was conducted by the Rev J. R. Currie, minister of the local Methodist Church. The rev gentleman made reference to the late Mrs. Squires sterling qualities. He said that one had only to look at the face of their departed friend to note something of the purity ~her character. He had only known Mrs. Squires for six months, but he was pleased to have had that privilege. He felt sure he was expressing the feelings of all present when he said the bereaved ones had the sympathy of all, and he trusted the good influence of the deceased lady would long remain in the hearts of the sons and daughters who were left. Many floral emblems were placed on the coffin by her friends. The hymn Rock of Ages was feelingly rendered by those assembled. Mr. H.F. Classen carried out the mortuary arrangements.
Obituary. (1914, November 4). Avoca Free Press and Farmers’ and Miners’ Journal (Vic. : 1900; 1914 – 1918), p. 2. Retrieved January 17, 2026, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article151625029
Wikitree: Eliza (Rowland) Squires (1843-1914)
One thought on “Obituary for Mrs Eliza Squires”