Births, engagements, marriages and vale notices
Vale
Phillipa Holloway (Goninan, 1960) 1943 – 2021
Phillipa (or Pippa/Pip as she was known) lived for many years in Wotton, United Kingdom, and was a well-known and popular member of its community. Pippa started life in Australia and, as a young woman spent time travelling and working in Israel, Italy and England. It was after returning to Australia to settle down that a match-making friend suggested she start a pen-pal correspondence with someone he had met at the Natural History Museum in London. This person was Jeremy Holloway, who worked for the museum as a researcher into moths. After eventually meeting in person, Pippa and Jeremy decided to get married. They set up home in England, living at first in Dorking then moving to Wotton.
Pippa started work with a computer software company in Dorking. This experience proved to be invaluable, as over the years she also became increasingly involved in helping Jeremy publish his extensive research into the moths of Borneo. The research publication ran to 18 volumes, all of which Pippa helped to type, index and prepare. As well as helping with this aspect of Jeremy’s work Pippa was in addition a popular member of the international research community thanks to her sociability.
Pippa took an active part in local life. She enjoyed playing tennis and walking with friends. She was a member of NADFAS (now known as The Arts Society), for which she was a regional secretary and, thanks to her great love of music, she sang regularly with the Dorking Choral Society. Pippa was a fluent Italian speaker and for a while led Dorking U3A’s Italian language group. Both she and Jeremy loved gardening and, as a result, Pippa became knowledgeable about many different types of plants.
Pippa was also involved with local events. She helped at the Wotton Flower Show and every year manned the raffle ticket stall for Wotton’s Fete, selling an enormous number of tickets both before and on the day.
Pippa died unexpectedly in 2021 when Covid restrictions were still in place. A memorial event was held for her on 5 April 2023, which would have been her 80th birthday. This brought together many of the people she had met throughout her life. At the end of the event a Wollemi pine, an Australian tree, was planted in her memory. This type of pine was discovered in 1994 in the Wollemi National Park in Australia’s Blue Mountains and close to land belonging to Phillipa’s family. It was identified as a member of the Monkey Puzzle family and had only ever been found as a fossil in the Cretaceous period. It is therefore now regarded as a living fossil.
Pippa’s charm, sense of humour and generosity of spirit are much missed.
Janet Harrison (Henderson, 1945)
Janet Litchfield Harrison (Henderson) attended PLC Pymble for seven years completing her education in 1945. She then attended the University of Sydney studying science and in particular geology. Jane, as she was more commonly known, met her husband John while studying the same course. They married in 1953 and travelled to Canada to begin a new life and career. In the next six years they had their children Ross and Fiona Young (Harrison, 1974). Upon returning to Australia, Jane’s family lived in Adelaide then Sydney. Jane travelled extensively living in various countries of Southeast Asia, New Zealand and finally the Philippines on account of John’s occupation as a geologist. In the 1980s John and Jane retired to live on one hundred acres just south of Casino, NSW. After John passed away in 1989, Jane became thoroughly involved in a variety of organisations helping to raise funds for local charities and the needs of others. Sadly, Jane lost her house and all her worldly goods in the fires of October 2019 in the northern rivers NSW area. Subsequently, Jane lived the final years of her life in Casino. She still had fond memories of her time at Presbyterian Ladies’ College, Pymble and the friendships she maintained all her life.
Margaret Mary McKenzie (McKee, 1947)
A Bega girl who was born on 20 September 1929, Margaret Mary McKenzie passed away peacefully on 16 August 2024, at the age of 94 with family by her side.
Margaret was a talented swimmer during her time as a boarder at Pymble, where she earned her Bronze Cross and other awards. After completing her education, she began her nursing career at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. It was at this time that she met Alexander McKenzie, who had just returned from the war and was attending Sydney University. They married on 1 August 1953 and settled in Wollongong before building their family home in Cronulla.
Together, they raised five children—Meg, Robin, Bruce, Cathy, and Ross—and enjoyed the company of six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Margaret was a skilled homemaker who took great joy in gardening and sewing, creating a warm haven for her loved ones. Her beautiful garden became a gathering place for family and friends.
Margaret’s Scottish heritage was a significant part of her identity, with the MacLeod tartan prominently featured in their home. In 1985, she joined the Women’s Auxiliary of Sydney Legacy, affectionately known as the “Blue Belles,” where she formed lasting friendships.
An avid reader and crossword enthusiast, Margaret was known for her kindness, charity to others, and love of celebrations. Her family will forever treasure her belief that “One cannot have too large a party,” a quote by Jane Austen that she truly lived by. Margaret was fortunate to remain in her own home, surrounded by family until the end.
Gabriella Robbins (Moses, 1996) 11 July 1978 – 13 May 2024
It is with the deepest sadness that we announce the passing of our dear friend and fellow alumni, Gabriella Moses, who lost her courageous battle with cancer at the age of 45. Gab leaves behind her three beloved children—Rex (15), Leni (13), and Harvey (11)—who were the core of her life and her motivation to keep fighting.
Gab attended Pymble Ladies’ College from Kindergarten through to Year 12, and her presence left an indelible mark on our school community. She was not only an exceptional athlete, excelling in swimming, hockey, and athletics, but also a wonderful friend, who embodied humility, kindness, and generosity. Her dedication to sport saw her represent the school in numerous events, and later, she proudly represented Australia in Surf Life Saving, demonstrating her incredible talent and determination.
Beyond her sporting achievements, Gab was an artist of remarkable talent, and she possessed a deep love for the ocean, nature, and the beauty of the world around her.
More than anything, Gab was a friend to everyone. There wasn’t a single girl in her year who didn’t love her.
In honor of her memory, we are exploring ways to celebrate Gab’s legacy within the school community.
Rest in peace, dearest Gab.
Mrs Katrina Corcoran (Hum, 1987)
Dr Kate Hadwen
