Lilliann Effie May Helson

  General Notes:

Her Obituary appeared in the Narrandera Argus on 25 March, 1963:

OBITUARY

Mrs L. E. M. SULLIVAN

A resident of Leeton from the pioneering days of that town, Mrs Lillie Effie Sullivan, died in the Leeton District Hospital on Sunday morning, 17th March, aged 67 years.

She suffered a stroke a week previous and never regained consciousness.

Mrs Sullivan was born at Broken Hill. Before she was born her father was killed in a mine accident.

The only girl in the family, she was educated in a college in Strathfield, Sydney. When 14 years of age she went with her four brothers, Fred, Thomas, Norman and Percy Helson, to New Zealand where they took up mining. Tom was a campaigner for Walter Nash, who became Prime Minister. They were both gaoled together over the conscription issue.

When they returned to Broken Hill the Helsons were among those who were attracted to Leeton and the irrigation area as a suitable climate to overcome their lung troubles brought on by their occupations in the mines.

They arrived in Leeton in 1912 and , still only a girl, Lillie resided with her brother, the late Mr. Fred Helson, who took a prominent part in the development of Leeton. Apart from fruitgrowers, he was associated with the Show Society, the Cannery, District Band, etc. His widow Mrs. Helson is still an active worker for the Hospital Auxiliary.

Mrs Sullivan was 23 years of age in 1919 when she married Mr Hubert Sullivan of Ferriertown, Narrandera. Prior to her marriage she had worked in a Solicitors office in Leeton and was also a teacher of elocution. In the early days she appeared on the concert platform giving recitations.

When her late home was built in Myall Street there was only a couple of houses in that section of Leeton.

Her husband predeceased her in 1934. Prior to his death he was an invalid for 10 years. When he died her youngest child was unborn.

Mrs. Sullivan opposed many offers of help that meant separating her family. By working hard she reared seven fine children.

The children are Irene Susan (Mrs. Bill Campton of Myall Street), Marjorie Daisy (Mrs. Noel Keane, Collaroy), Elva Mary (Mrs. Ken Halsall, Somerset, England), Thomas Graham (Parkview), Nola Jean (Mrs. Lindsay Fordham, Narrabeen, Norman Denis (French's Forest), Robert Edmund (Newcastle). There are 19 grandchildren.

All her four brothers predeceased her, including Percy, who enlisted from Leeton, and was killed in World War 1.

Her funeral took place at Leeton last Monday afternoon; the cortege moving from the Catholic church.

The bearers were deceased's three sons, Messrs. Tom, Norman, and Robert Sullivan and a son-in-law, Mr W. Campton.

  Noted events in her life were:

• She resided at at the time she made her Will on 20 Feb 1963 in 2 Myall St, Leeton, , New South Wales, Australia.

Lilliann married Hubert George O'Sullivan, son of Thomas Denis O'Sullivan ** and Susannah Mary Sole **, on 21 May 1919 in Narrandera,,New South Wales,Australia. (Hubert George O'Sullivan was born on 1 May 1893 in "Mountain View", Warri near, Ardlethan, , New South Wales, Australia, died on 5 Jan 1934 in District Hospital, Leeton, New South Wales, Australia and was buried on 6 Jan 1934 in Leeton Cemetery, Leeton, New South Wales, Australia.). The cause of his death was Chronic endocarditis, many years.