Anne Elizabeth Howard (born Fergusson)

stephen howard Anne Elizabeth Fergusson was born in Moree , the second of six children to Sidney George (1886-1957) and Ruby Stella Fergusson (born Maguire , 1892 - 1975) - pictured - who were married on 29 March , 1916 , and lived at 81 Balo Street , Moree. Anne was sister to Dulcie (1916-2014), Don (1921-2004), Norman (1924-2006) , Robert (born 1928) and Doug (born 1934 ). Anne enjoyed growing up in a large country town even through the hard years of the Great Depression and World War 2.

stephen howard Anne with her elder sister, Dulcie , at the Moree Baths.

stephen howard Anne enjoyed playing sport, especially hockey- representing Moree and the North West Region - and later going to the local balls and the occasional holiday to the big smoke of Sydney on the 17 and 1/2 hour train trip.

stephen howard Young Frank Howard ( born 15 August, 1910) from Bellata , near Moree.

stephen howard In Moree , Anne met ..

stephen howard ..Frank (Francis Godfrey) Howard from “Tremayne” , Bellata near Moree.

stephen howard The Howard boys from “Tremayne” at Bellata - sons of Thomas and Harriet Howard.

stephen howard Anne and Frank in their “courting” days

stephen howard Anne’s Identity Card during World War 2.

stephen howard Frank’s Certificate of Discharge from the Australian Military Forces ( Citizens Forces) after World War 2.

stephen howard Anne’s glowing work reference after leaving employment at Crane & Co Ltd in Moree after 9 years there to get married - includes her Yeoman Service in World War 2.

stephen howard Anne married Frank at St Canice’s Church , Elizabeth Bay Sydney with the reception at the old Wentworth Hotel and a honeymoon in Melbourne staying at the Prince of Wales , St Kilda and then a holiday at Ettalong with Anne’s family. Anne and Frank lived in Moree , Armidale, Stanmore and finally Lakemba giving birth to Peter in 1952, Frances in 1954 and Stephen in 1957. Anne converted to Catholicism when she married Frank. While Anne had the support of her immediate family, she had to endure anti-Catholic bigotry , comments and anonymous hate letters from some other people in Moree.

stephen howard Anne & Frank’s son , Peter Thomas born.

stephen howard Anne & Frank's daughter , Frances Anne born.

stephen howard Anne & Frank’s son , Stephen John born.

stephen howard A group photo of Dad with his surviving brothers and sisters at his twin Aunty Mary's Silver Jubilee as a Mercy nun.

stephen howard Mum and Dad (Anne and Frank ) worked arduously renovating, improving and maintaining the house and garden at 24 Benaroon Road, Lakemba in making for their family a home that Mum described as "a nice little house".

stephen howard Assorted family photos

stephen howard Mum at the St Therese Lakemba Parish Ball.

stephen howard Dad (Frank) unexpectedly passed away from pancreatic cancer (at age 58) after a short illness in June 1969 leaving Anne a widow with 3 school age children and limited resources. The shock and stress of Frank's sudden illness, diagnosis and death had an initial dehabilitating effect on Anne's health - she recovered, but never stopped missing Frank. It is a testament to Mum's quiet inner strength, resilience, careful planning and personal sacrifices that her children never went without.

stephen howard A Howard family group photo after Dad had died , at the Mater Hospital, Newcastle for Aunty Eileen's Golden Jubilee as a Mercy nun.

stephen howard Mum with Stephen at his graduation as a Bachelor of Laws at Sydney University

stephen howard Anne & Frank’s son Peter married Michele Clark at St Patrick’s Cathedral , Parramatta with the reception at Curzon Hall ,Marsfield and a honeymoon in Penang, Malaysia & Hong Kong . Sadly, Michele passed away in 1990.

stephen howard Anne’ & Frank’s daughter Frances married Dean Hagan at St Therese Church, Lakemba with the reception at “Memories” , Bankstown Trotting Club and a honeymoon in Darwin. Mum especially enjoyed watching her grandsons Mitchell and Reece grow up often babysitting them.

stephen howard Mum with Michele’s Mum, Joan at Peter & Michele's garden and other various gardens.

stephen howard Anne’s 80th birthday lunch party at the Grand Dining Room of The Castlereagh Inn , Sydney

stephen howard Mum’s 80th birthday portraits with her family

stephen howard Mum in the Wisteria Garden , Hyde Park, Sydney.

stephen howard For her 80th birthday , Peter took Mum to Tasmania for a holiday.

stephen howard Mum in Stephen’s unit at Darling Point

stephen howard Mum’s style was elegant and simple - her treat was her regular visits to her hairdresser , Vicki.

stephen howard Anne with her 2 long term girlfriends from Moree , Frida Johnson and Rita Kinsella catching up over the years.

stephen howard Anne with her sister Dulcie , 2 brothers Norm & Bob and 2 cousins Lochie & Aileen. Aileen’s husband , Earl was taking the photo at their home overlooking Clovelly Bay in Sydney.

stephen howard Mum with Peter at his PhD graduation - university of Western Sydney

stephen howard Mum was an avid tennis fan and In September 2003 , we took her to Melbourne Park Tennis Centre for a Davis Cup Tennis Semi-Final round - she watched and cheered Leyton Hewitt beat , in a typical 5 set comeback win , a then little known Swiss tennis player named Roger Federer.

stephen howard Mum was eventually able to go on other holidays to the Gold Coast, the Blue Mountains , Tasmania, Noosa and Brisbane

stephen howard Mum at a Howard family reunion at Stockton , Newcastle , NSW - by then , Mum was the last surviving Howard aunt.

stephen howard Mum loved gardening & her garden

stephen howard Mum with Tony & Stephen on holiday at Tugun , Gold Coast.

stephen howard Mum & Tony’s Mum , Evelyne, at the Hunter Valley Gardens Rose Garden

stephen howard Mum’s 90th birthday lunch at the Sydney Rowing Club , Abbottsford

stephen howard 90th birthday wishes for Anne from the then Prime Minister , Kevin Rudd.

stephen howard Mum always enjoyed a nice cup of tea and reading the Australian Women’s Weekly.

stephen howard Mum was a long time supporter of the St Columban’s Mission Society

stephen howard Mum at the cafe at the Enfield Nursery before buying some more plants for her garden.

stephen howard Mum's 95th birthday at Lakemba - surrounded by family & friends.

stephen howard Mum with her sister Dulcie & brother Bob celebrating Australia Day 2014. .

stephen howard Mum on Melbourne Cup Day 2014 - the only horse race she would bet on all year , and she always backed a Bart Cummings trained horse.

stephen howard Mum’s last birthday, her 97th , at Lakemba.

stephen howard Mum passed into Eternal Life on 16 November 2015. Mum lived a simple life and outlived many of her family and friends , but always made new friends wherever she went. Mum was a gracious lady, loyal to her family & friends and committed to her husband and children.

stephen howard Mum & Dad reunited

stephen howard Mum & Dad’s memories and love will continue through their children in their own life journeys.