THE Campbell clan recently held a gathering with a difference celebrating 100 years since the birth of their much-loved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt and friend Beryl Campbell - well-known for her work with the St Vincent de Paul Society in Gunnedah.
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Beryl’s death in 1998 at the age of 79 was mourned across a wide section of the community but her love of happy gatherings for any reason was remembered as the family gathered in her honour.
Beryl grew up in Newcastle but her life changed when she met Ossie Campbell who was working as a carpenter’s apprentice in the city before the war.
They built a home at 135 George Street and raised a family of five boys and three girls. This family grew to include grandchildren and great-grandchildren and Beryl delighted in each and every one.
The gathering at Gunnedah Services and Bowling Club outdoor area included another generation of children who have been born in the 20 years since Beryl’s death.
Sadly Michael and Eddie Campbell have died in recent years but the six remaining siblings, Thomas (Canberra), Paul (Adelaide), Marie Hobson (Gunnedah), Cathy Roberts (Curlewis), Patrick (Gunnedah) and Jenny Fisher (Brisbane), were all able to attend.
The family also celebrated a number of other upcoming milestones with Paul having his 70th birthday and Jenny Fisher and cousin MaryAnn Vale turning 60, plus three great-grandchildren Charlie Hobson, Flynn Ramadge and Matilda Fisher having June birthdays, while Beryl’s nephew Peter Clarke and his wife Ruth were congratulated on their 60th (diamond) wedding anniversary on June 16.
Beryl was the great-grand-daughter of Irish pioneers Richard and Bridget O’Donnell who settled in 1855 at the foot of Mt Sugarloaf in the Wallsend/Minmi area of Newcastle.
Her paternal grandparents Ellen Callan, from Ireland, and Robert Vale (an English migrant) ran hardware stores in Newcastle and Kurri Kurri.
Beryl is remembered with much love and affection by her family and friends and the many lives she touched during her years of caring for those less fortunate.