Person Page - 164

Dean, Catherine (1814–1904)

A very old resident of West Devonport departed this life yesterday morning in the person of Miss Catherine Dean, who at the time of her decease was in her 91st year. The sad event took place at the residence of her sister, Mrs David Cocker, the cause being lung trouble and a general break-up, through extreme age, of a vigorous constitution. Miss Dean was a native of England, and came to Tasmania in the early thirties, landing at Hobart with her cousin, Miss Lucy Dean. She first came to the North-West Coast over 50 years ago. Of an amiable and kindly disposition, with an active inquiring mind, the deceased lady made many friends, and in different parts, as she has travelled considerably both in Tasmania and on the mainland. She was the eldest of her family, and never married. Besides Mrs D. Cocker, the deceased was a sister of Mrs R. Winspear, of East Devonport, while two others survive in England. She also leaves several nieces, nephews and other relatives. Till lately she enjoyed a robust health unusual in a nonogenarian, and as showing the live interest she took in various matters it should be recorded that she was one of the first at the Launceston polling booth on the occasion of the December Federal elections. She then recorded an intelligent vote, unaided and without spectacles. The fact was thought worthy of favorable mention at the time in the Launceston press. The funeral takes places tomorrow afternoon.

After the marriage of her cousin to the Rev Mr Garrard, Anglican clergyman at New Norfolk, Miss Dean came to Launceston, where she lived with Mr and Mrs Jennings at Erina. Miss Dean became an active member of the Wesleyan Church and assisted in the Sunday school work. On one occasion in the absence of a minister she filled the gap by holding a Bible meeting. In 1842 her brother, Mr William B. Dean (since dead), arrived in Launceston and she then made her home with him, proving of much assistance to him in his business. Later she chose the Mersey as her place of residence, afterwards returning to St Leonards and subsequently to Launceston, where she resided with the Misses Cocker and Messrs B. D. and David Cocker, jun. (her niece and nephews) till about two months since, when she came to Devonport on what proved to be her last journey. She only took to her bed last Thursday and was able to attend church on March 13. (North Western Advocate (Tas), 3 May 1904.)¹