Evelyn Lilburne

MATRON

Miss Evelyn A. Lilburne

Known to thousands of old students only by the affectionate term 'Matron,'   Miss Lilburne died at Nurse Maude Memorial Hospital, Christchurch on 27 October, 1977. Full tribute to her work at Lincoln has been paid by Ian Blair in 'Life and Work at Canterbury Agricultural College' in 1956, and again in the College Magazine of 1960 on her retirement. For the remainder of her life she lived at Rata Street, Riccarton, where, until failing health reduced her activities, she was an active loyal member of 5t Ninian's Presbyterian Church. Friends remember her dedication to the work of the church, her depth of faith, her friendliness and vivacious humour, and. her concern for others, especially those in trouble. As her health failed she deeply appreciated hearing news of Lincoln and the visits of the 'boys,' particularly those who could talk intelligently about rugby football, on which she was an authority. During these visits some of the boys found for the first time that Matron was fully aware of indiscretions and misdemeanours they had fondly believed had never been detected. During a long illness she refused to have full-time assistance; she never complained even though it was obvious she would not recover. Only her indomitable spirit kept her going. Finally she was ordered to Nurse Maude Hospital where she accepted the inevitable with calm resignation; but the infectious humour still occasionally bubbled up. Old students were well represented at the funeral service at St Ninian’s. Concluding his tribute to a life that had been lived to the full in the interest of others, the Rev. P. Marshall said: 'She was a whole person, who for 27 years of dedicated service to the College proved to be the right person in the right place at the right time.' Generations of old students will echo that assessment, perhaps they might add: 'Few people had her understanding of human nature, especially that of the young male.' L. W. McCASKILL

Obituary

Source: 1977 Lincoln College Magazine (No. 102 1977) p54.