Palmwoods
District News

January
1999

Page 4

District loses great lady: Merle Dent

Merle Dent - A tribute - 26/4/1914 - 17/10/98

BORN in Gympie to Ruth and Charles Johns, Merle Dent lived as a child at Ilkley with her family until she married Ernest Dent in 1935.

She then moved to a dairy farm at Mooloolah and lived there until her husband died in 1953.

After Ernest's death, Merle took her three daughters, Leone, Noela and Beverley, to Bald Hills where she lived until she held many prestigious positions as housekeepers for Sir Manual and Lady Hornibrook and notable Brisbane hoteliers, Mr and Mrs Roberts.

She eventually purchased her own home in Zillmere where she retired to a life where she was able to pursue the things she loved.

Her life was filled with travel, dancing and gardening and she was also a keen card player.

In the early '80s she moved to Diddillibah.

Her time at Diddillibah was spent preparing horses for championships.

She is survived by her four siblings, three daughters, nine grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren.

The property at Ikley, where she spent her youth has been transformed into a botanical garden.

The old homestead where Merle grew up was burnt down but many of the trees planted during her childhood still grow there today.

The time capsule buried there holds her memory and she will be remembered once again in 100 years time when it is opened.

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