Leah “May” Ross

Born 19 May 1886 at Waianakarua, Otago, New Zealand

May married Benjamin Smeddles on the 23 Apr 1932 at Wellington, New Zealand. As a married woman, she lived with her husband in Oamaru. There were no children from the union.

In 1938, May traveled to England for several months.

On returning to New Zealand, the couple continued living in Oamaru, until around 1946, when they both moved to Christchurch, New Zealand.

Frances and Leah ROSS at “Langwell”.
Leah “May” SMEDDLES nee ROSS. Taken in Dunedin. Uncertain about child.
Angus and Fanny, with family, May at front, on right. One of the Hutton men on far right
William ARMES, Mary Ann ARMES nee ROSS, unknown, Leah SMEDDLES nee ROSS and Benjamin SMEDDLES.

Benjamin passed in 1957 at Christchurch, New Zealand.

May passed away on the 03 May 1971 at Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand. Both are buried at Memorial Gardens, Bromley, Christchurch, New Zealand.

I remember the house that May lived in at Linwood. It had enormous, dark drapes. On her passing, my Nana, Grace Stark nee Robertson, looked after the property while things were organised for sale. There were no children, so all the property was shared among nieces and nephews.

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