| Comment | Died from Emphysema
Buried beside Euphemia Little (mother) & William Reekie (step-brother)
The Longreach Leader Friday 13 February 1948
OBITUARY
MRS. MARY WILSON
Muttaburra lost one of its oldest and best known residents on Sunday, when Mrs. Mary Wilson passed away at her home in Bridge Street after a short illness. Born at Cupar in Fifeshire, Scotland, nearly 74 years ago, the late Mrs. Wilson emigrated to Australia with her parents at the age of five. After attending school in Rockhampton, she went to the Muttaburra district, where, in 1892, she married Mr. Joseph Wilson of Sydney, who pre deceased her 22 years ago. They raised the large family of eight daughters and four sons, all of whom are married and living, except Private Bert Wilson, who lost his life in New Guinea in 1942.
In 1919 the late Mr. and Mrs. Wilson took over the Royal Mail Hotel, and for over 20 years after her husband’s death, the late Mrs. Wilson carried on the business with the help of members of her family. Imbued with that indimitable pioneering spirit which seemed to surmount all difficulties, this grand old lady, despite mounting years and failing health, carried on actively almost to her last illness.
The late Mrs. Wilson was a keen supporter of any movement for the betterment of the town. Her generosity to church, school and other funds being well-known throughout the district. Keenly interested in sport, at the time of her death she was a member of the Amateur Race Club of Muttaburra, Aramac and Longreach besides being patroness of the Muttaburra Football Club. She purchased the first football for the town team, while for years she was the only lady member of the Muttaburra Turf Club. There were few meetings when a horse wearing her colours did not compete. Her best known horses were Master Attract, who won on every course in a Central West, as well as Rockhampton and Ipswich, King Aranda and Cannon Boy.
A large assembly of friends and relatives attended the service. The late Mrs. Wilson was laid to rest beside her mother, Mrs. Little, who died while on a visit to her daughter many years before. The last rites were conducted by Rev. Johnston. The late Mrs. Wilson is survived by one sister, Mrs. M. Graham of Gateshead, England (whose son served in Australian waters during the last war), eight daughters, Mesdames J. Kingston (Longreach), T. O’Brien (Longreach), A. Gordon (Muttaburra), M. Murray (Muttaburra), D. Thompson (Muttaburra), A. Cole (Muttaburra), F. Williams (Brisbane), J. Norrie (Brisbane), three sons, Joe (Muttaburra), Jack (Longreach) and Herb (Corfield), 46 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.
[Source: OBITUARY. (1948, February 13). The Longreach Leader (Qld. : 1923 – 1954), p. 7. Retrieved September 18, 2013, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article125216644]
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