Mary Ellen Daly, sixth of the eight children of Patrick Daly, a farmer, and Mary Ann Leyden, was born on 5 November 1884 at Percydale. She was baptised on 25 January 1885 in Maryborough.
In 1911 at the age of 27 she gave birth to a boy at Footscray, Charles Kemp ne Daly (1911-1989). No father was named on the certificate and he was adopted out.
On 11 April 1914 Mary Ellen Daly married William Henry Picking (1884-1971) at St Monica’s Presbytery in Footscray.
William and Mary Ellen Picking had three children:
- Louis Henry Wiltshire (1914-1980) born in Glen Huntly
- Arthur Alexander (1919-1992) born in Glen Huntly
- Mary Elizabeth (1920-2005) born in Mirboo North
On 19 August 1914 William Henry Picking enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force, giving his occupation as railway employee. He lived at Glen Huntly and his wife was his next of kin. In 1915 Mary returned to Percydale to live with her mother for the duration of the war.
William served with the Field Ambulance at Gallipoli and Lemnos. He became ill and was hospitalised in London. He returned to Australia and was discharged in November 1918.
On William’s return to Australia he and his wife Mary Ellen returned to Glen Huntly in Melbourne then moved to Mardan, near Mirboo North, Gippsland, where William took up farming.
Mary died on 29 April 1923 at Mardan of breast cancer, which she had for 1 year 3 months, and lung cancer, which she had for 4 months.
A year after her death her sisters placed an In Memoriam notice in the Argus:
PICKING (nee Daly).—In sad and loving memory of our dearly beloved sister, Minnie, who died on the 29th April, 1923, at Mardan. R.I.P.
Her cheerful ways and loving face
Are pleasant to recall;
She had a smile for everyone,
And died beloved by all.
—(Inserted by her loving sisters, M. Shaw, F. Moreland, K. Butcher, and H. Esmonde.)
Notices on the anniversary of her death appeared until 1937:
Age (Melbourne, Vic.), Thursday 29 April 1937, page 1
PICKING (nee Daly). --In loving memory of our dearly beloved ones, Minnie, who died at Mardan, 29th April, 1923; mother, who died at Glen Huntly, 16th March, 1919; father, who died at Percydale, 31st January, 1906; Jack, who died at Rodborough, 20th February, 1913; Jim, who was drowned at Benalla, 6th September, 1906; Arthur, who was drowned at Avoca, 9th November 1899. May their souls rest in peace.
Wikitree: Mary Ellen (Daly) Picking (1884-1923)
[Many thanks to Mary Ellen’s great grand daughter Jane for sharing her family history with us.]
