1909 – 2003

Ethel Catherine NAYLOR born at Kallaroo near Kalgoorlie on the goldfields of Western Australia on 28.04.1909. She was the 6th child of 13 to Mary Elizabeth (Bigham) Naylor and James Naylor. She was raised in Victoria by Elizabeth Ann (STENT) GLASTONBURY (Ethel's mother's half Sister) and her Husband, George GLASTONBURY. Elizabeth was affectionally called Aunt Bessie by all in the family. They came to Kalgoorlie / Boulder, Western Australia and took Ethel home with them after Ethel's father James died. The Aunt was in poor health and at 13 years of age Ethel left school to care for her. In January 1930 while on holidays in Adelaide Ethel fell from a tram and fractured her skull. On arrival at the hospital the doctors gave her two minutes to live - it was a long two minutes..

During her teens she attended the St Kilda Church of Christ and became a Christian. It was at that church on 21.06.1940 Ethel married Charles Rupert SEYMOUR born 12.10.1889 in Romsey, Victoria. Charles was a widower with a foster daughter, Eunice.

After their marriage they moved to Springvale and Ethel attended the Oakleigh Church of Christ until 1941 when she and six others met at the Parker home in St Johns Avenue to decide about the possibility of starting a Church of Christ in Springvale. The first meeting was held in the old Mechanics Hall on 7th September 1941 and in December a Sunday School was started at which Ethel taught for 25 years. She attended the weekly prayer and bible study group and the ladies "Mission Band: and supported the work and worship of the church, giving generously of her money and time.

She loved to sing and often sang solos in church services.

In 1948 Ethel and Charles adopted (Eunice) Norma Jean and after 11 years of marriage and 5 days before her 42nd birthday she gave birth to their son John. Ethel made up for her lack of education by educating herself as she helped John with his schoolwork right up to about year 10 level. She loved doing The Age cross–words and would go to all lengths to get them out.

In 1960, Ethel and Charles moved from Windsor Avenue to Wattle Street, Springvale where they had 10 years together before Charles died on 02.04.1970. Ethel then lived on there alone for 25 years with her garden being her pride and joy. She was very hospitable to any of the neighbours passing by.

In 1993, (photo 1993 Val, Ethel & brother Arthur) the house was sold and Ethel moved into H L Williams Court Aged Care facility on medical advice as she needed extra care. By January 2001 her health had deteriorated further and she was admitted to Darval Lodge Nursing Home at which facility she passed away after a short illness, on Saturday 12th April 2003 just 16 days before her 94th birthday. During her time in these two homes, she still showed her love of singing, often singing throughout the night.

She was the last of the seven original members of Springvale Church of Christ.

They had 2 Children:-

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