Historical information

Mary Jane Rankin was born in 1884 to parents Ewen and Anna Rankin (née Woods). She was a pupil teacher at Linton State School, and later was Head Teacher at Happy Valley State School. She played tennis, sang in the Presbyterian Church choir and was involved in community organisations such as the CWA throughout her life. In 1918 Mary Rankin married Ed Hitchins, the manager of the Linton branch of the Bank of New South Wales.
"Mrs Mary (Molly) Hitchins, formerly a school teacher, who drove a mad headed grey horse in a gig some two or three miles to the local hall, was our Sunday School teacher. Although she was Presbyterian, she arranged and taught all Protestant denominations, and left a wonderful heritage of dedication to all those who came under her influence. She had married after many years as a school teacher, and had no children of her own." Jack Fletcher, in 'My Early Days' - recollections in Fletcher family file.

Physical description

Mary Hitchins, née Mary Rankin, 1884-1971