The Independent, Saturday 9 January 1909
(Footscray, Victoria, Australia)

OBITUARY
IRVING
There passed away on New Year’s Eve an old and respected colonist and resident of this district in the person of Mrs Mary Ann Irving, relict of the late Thomas Irving, of Maidstone. The deceased lady who had reached the fine old age of 77, was a woman of indomitable will, which carried her through bravely to the end. She was a native of Cornwall, England, and came out to Victoria in the early fifties, so that she was a colonist of over 50 years’ standing. Married at the age of 27 to her late husband, with him she saw some stirring years on the gold fields at Bendigo, Castlemaine, and also in New Zealand, and could tell many an interesting story of the gold fever days. For very many years the late Mr Irving resided at Maidstone, of which the deceased lady was a well-known identity. Her husband predeceased her about 12 years ago, and of late years she had been living with her daughters in Federal-street, Footscray. Death was due immediately to gastric trouble after only a few days’ illness and the end came peacefully enough. The deceased lady reared a large family of sons and daughters, several of whom reside in the district. The funeral took place on Saturday last, the place of interment being the Footscray cemetery. The Rev W. Wykes officiated at the graveside. Mr W. A. Warne carried out the mortuary arrangements.
Transcriber's Note: Born Keane

Contributed by Bob Bolitho