Born at Tallangatta 27 April 1892. Sixth of eleven children born to Emily Haeffner & Frederick Jarvis. Known as Ruth.

A driving accident happened at Noorongong on Saturday night. After the Yaliba picnic concert, Mr. Stanley Paton, of Fernvale, was crossing the Plain with a buggy-load of children, whom he was kindly driving home. He overtook a number of lads who were walking. These young fellows “whipped behind,” and pulled the back seat right out. Miss Edie Coleman, of Tallangatta, got an ugly fall, which resulted in serious injury to her left arm. She sustained what is professionally known as a ‘‘Green” fracture of the forearm, while the wrist was also dislocated. Another girl, Mary Steinhausor, was badly shaken, while a third, Mabel Jarvis, saved herself by clinging to the front seat. “Stanley” had been carting children all day, and it was unfortunate that trouble, over which he had no control, should have attended his last trip. It is to be hoped that the youths, whose giddy notion led to the accident, will be sorry for the results of their silly escapade. We make this comment instead of publishing an anonymous letter, which has been sent to this office, condemning in strong terms the action of the ‘young gentlemen” in question. Upper Murray and Mitta Herald, 3 December 1908.

 From the minutes of ODH board meeting July 20, 1914 - On the motion of Mr Armstrong and Mr Carnsew, the seal of the hospital was affixed to the indentures of Nurses Jarvis, Cameron & Spicer.

 From the ODH House Committee 19 October 1914 - The secretary reported that Nurses Cameron, Jarvis and Spicer had been examined by the medical officers as to physical fitness for nursing, and had passed. Their indentures were ready for signature.

 From the ODH Inpatient Register 1 January 1906-28 April, 1925. Admitted as a patient with tonsillitis, on 25 April 1916. 28 April 1916 discharged to her father, F (?) Jarvis, Tallangatta.

 DIED OF ILLNESS --Matron Winning of the Ovens District Hospital, yesterday received a telegram from Fernvale, near Tallangatta, requesting her to break the news to Nurse Jarvis, a trainee of the institution, of the death of her brother, Gunner Fred Jarvis, from typhoid fever at a hospital in France on 23rd February. ... Ovens and Murray Advertiser, 7 March 1917.

 June 1917 Una Journal, R.V.T.N.A. EXAMINATION RESULTS.

Successful candidates at the final examinations of the Royal Victorian Trained Nurses’ Association on 15th and 16th May, are announced, by hospitals, as follows: — … BEECHWORTH (Ovens District).—Mabel Ruth C. Jarvis, Florence Helen Spicer.

From the ODH House Committee report 18 June 1917 – Nurses Jarvis & Spicer have passed their final examinations as trained nurses and Nurse Jarvis having completed her training had left.

Date of qualification 4 June 1917.

After three years' training in the Ovens District Hospital, Miss Mabel Ruth Jarvis, daughter of Mr. Fred Jarvis, of Fernvale, was successful at the examination for trained nurses, held in Melbourne last month. Miss Jarvis has been forwarded a certificate from the Ovens District Hospital and also one from Royal Victorian Trained Nurses' Association. Upper Murray & Mitta Herald , 28 June 1017.

August 1917 Una Journal General Register -  Jarvis Mabel R. C., “Fernvale,” Tallangatta—Cert. Ovens District Hospital, Beechworth, June, 1917. Exam., May, 1917.

 1919 Ruth is at Loughtane Private Hospital, 63 Rathdown Street, Carlton.

 February 1922, address is “Mittawarra,” Healesville.

 WEDDING BELLS. VANCE-JARVIS. A quiet wedding was celebrated at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Dunedin (N.Z.), on August 16th, when Mabel Ruth Conway, third daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Fred. Jarvis "Mittawarra," Healesville, was united in the holy bonds of matrimony to Peter, eldest son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Vance, of Galashields Scotland, and of Melbourne. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. Hector MacLean. The bride, who wore a smartly tailored costume with hat to match, was attended by Miss Ridgeway, of Camberwell, Melbourne while the bridegroom was supported by Mr. Chris Wing, also of Melbourne. The wedding breakfast was served at the residence of Mr and Mrs. R Sawell, friends of the bridegroom, Mrs. Sawell, in the absence of the bride's parents, acting as hostess. Later in the day the newly married couple left by motor on a tour of portion of the South Island. The future residence of Mr and Mrs Vance will be 45 Hawthorn Avenue, Mornington, Dunedin. Prior to her marriage Mrs Vance who is a member of the Royal Victorian Trained Nurses' Association, and who is also a native of Tallangatta, was the sister of the Tallangatta Cottage Hospital for a period of two years. Healesville and Yarra Glen Guardian, 17 November 1923

Birth of first child, George Walker Vance, 15 April 1925 at Dunedin, New Zealand.

VANCE – On 15th April, 1925 at Nurse Cupple’s Hospital to Mr and Mrs Peter Vance, 45 Hawthorne Avenue, Mornington – a son. Evening Star (New Zealand), 15 April 1925.

 The family lived at Mornington, New Zealand until March 1930 and in 1931 were living in Bendigo.

 Ruth died July 22 1981.

 VANCE – On July 22, peacefully, at her home in Bentleigh, Mabel Ruth Conway, beloved wife of Peter (dec.)., loving mother of George, Jock and Peter. Fond mother in law of Enid, Anita and Helen. A loving mother.

 Loved mother of George, mother-in-law of Enid, grandmother of Susan and Craig, Stewart and Russell. Always thinking of others, Remembered for ever. 

Dearly loved mother of Jock, mother in law of Anita and a gracious loving nanna to Helena (?), Warren and Bruce. For ever in our thoughts.

 Loved mother of Peter, dearly loved mother in law of Helen, dearest nanna of Euan, Edwina, Alisdair and Fiona.

Our wise counsellor, confidante and true friend. Privately cremated July 24. The Age, 25 July 1981. 

© Anne Hanson, 2024      Email:   Anne Hanson