Helena Maud ‘Lily’ Pike – grave tales

On the 27th April 1906, Helena ‘Lily’ Maud Pike (nee Rosevere) aged 30yrs, passed away at the St John of God Hospital in Dugan Street, Kalgoorlie from Typhoid. She was the wife of councillor Eustace Walter Pike and the mother of one child, James Albert, aged 6yrs. The couple had married in Adelaide SA in 1896, they were both born in South Australia. The following photograph is a very poignant one and shows father and son standing by the graveside covered in floral tributes in the Kalgoorlie Cemetery.

James Albert (Age 6) and Eustace Edward PIKE – Photo SLWA

The family home at 116 MacDonald St Kalgoorlie in 1900 – Photo SLWA

Lily was to die only a few short years after the above photograph was taken outside the family home at 116 MacDonald Street (now the site of Lotteries House) Kalgoorlie, showing Lilly, Eustace and baby James.

Lilly in her garden with her cat 1900 – Photo SLWA

Grave of Helena and Eustace and Georgina Pike – Kalgoorlie Cemetery c1910 – Photo SLWA

Kalgoorlie Miner (WA : 1895 - 1954), Saturday 28 April 1906, page 4

Kalgoorlie Miner 28 April 1906, page 4

The above impressive memorial was placed on the grave some four years later. Today the grave is very little changed and has stood the test of time. Eustace, aged 84yrs, was buried with his beloved wife some 49yrs later in 1955, having never re-married. His son James is also buried in the Kalgoorlie Cemetery, he died on the 26th Nov 1986 and is buried in a different grave. Also buried with Helena and Eustace is Georgina PIKE who died in 1939 aged 93yrs, Eustace’s widowed mother.

Memorial Plaque - Eustace Pike Kalgoorlie Cemetery - photo by Danelle Warnock

Memorial Plaque – Eustace Pike Kalgoorlie Cemetery – photo by Danelle Warnock

Eustace W Pike - Outside of Kalgoorlie Courthouse Building, Hannan Street - Photo Ancestry.com

Eustace W Pike – Outside of Kalgoorlie Courthouse Building, Hannan Street – Photo Ancestry.com

Grave of Helena M Pike Kalgoorlie Cemetery - photo by Danelle Warnock

Pike Family Grave-  Kalgoorlie Cemetery – photo by Danelle Warnock

I cannot forget her
I loved her too dearly
For her memory to fade
From my life like a dream
My lips need not speak
When the heart mourns sincerely
For my thoughts often rest
where they seldom are seen.

Memorial Plaque - Georgina Pike Kalgoorlie Cemetery - photo by Danelle Warnock

Memorial Plaque – Georgina Pike Kalgoorlie Cemetery – photo by Danelle Warnock

Georgina Pike nee Beatty died 14th June 1939. Photo Ancestry.com

Georgina Pike nee Beatty died 14th June 1939. Photo Ancestry.com

Memorial Plaque - Eustace Pike Kalgoorlie Cemetery - photo by Danelle Warnock

Memorial Plaque – Eustace Pike Kalgoorlie Cemetery – photo by Danelle Warnock.

Memorial - Helena Pike Kalgoorlie Cemetery - photo by Danelle Warnock

Memorial – Helena Pike Kalgoorlie Cemetery – photo by Danelle Warnock.

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My name is Moya Sharp, I live in Kalgoorlie Western Australia and have worked most of my adult life in the history/museum industry. I have been passionate about history for as long as I can remember and in particular the history of my adopted home the Eastern Goldfields of Western Australia. Through my website I am committed to providing as many records and photographs free to any one who is interested in the family and local history of the region.

Comments

  1. Ray Jackson. says

    Jim Pike was a very famous mover of buildings with his old “Blitz Wagon” truck and “Jinker”. I had occasion to work with him when he moved some buildings for the builder I was apprenticed to (Peter McGinty) back in the 1960s. A great bloke and a thorough gentleman.

  2. Nicholas Steel says

    Such a sad story!
    I think it was Hemingway who said, “Every True Story Ends In Death”.
    🙏😢☦️

  3. Annette Ferris says

    Lovely story Moya, love your work and look forward to reading about our early settlers.
    Thank you.
    Annette

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