Edna (Teddy) Mary Elizabeth Spurway, 1910-2011

Edna Spurway was born in 1910; her birth was registered at Ryde. She was the 13^th and youngest child of Frederick Ernest and Elizabeth Spurway (nee Thornton) who had married in 1888. Frederick Ernest Spurway (1867-1953) was the fifth child of Maria Ann Spurway (nee Smith) and James Spurway. Maria Ann Spurway was the daughter of Maria Ann ‘Granny’ Smith (nee Sherwood). Thus Edna was the great granddaughter of Maria Ann ‘Granny’ Smith.

Edna preferred to be known as Teddy which she attributed to the fact that she grew up in a house filled with boys. She was the flower-girl at her sisters’ weddings.

For most of her life she lived in the family home at 69 Marsden Road, Ermington (later West Ryde) before she retired to Carlingford.

She was identified as the oldest living descendant of Granny Smith and during the 1990s/ early 2000s she attended many activities associated with the Granny Smith Festival.

Edna passed away on 27 September 2011 at Yallambi Centre, Carlingford, aged 101. In her death notice she was described as a loving sister to her brothers and sisters, cherished aunt to her nieces and nephews and a beloved friend of the Stewart family, and a great granddaughter of ‘Granny’ Maria Smith. Her funeral took place on 5 October 2011 at Northern Suburbs Crematorium, North Ryde.

The interview

The interview was conducted in November 2010 by City of Ryde’s Local Studies Librarian Angela Phippen, when Edna was already 100. The interview was re-scheduled several times because of Edna’s health, especially her breathlessness which is evident in the recording. What is also evident was Edna’s warmth, humour, infectious laughter and vitality for life.

Rest in Peace Edna