Vale - Judith Everall (Thomas) (Class of 1955)
We regretfully pass on the sad news that Judith Everall (Thomas, Class of 1955) of Pittsworth, died on 16th August 2022. Judy attended Somerville House as a boarder from 1952 - 1955.
With many thanks to Jessie Andrews Archives (Somerville House) for the following information from "Collected Resumes 1955 - 1995" printed for the purpose of the 60th Reunion held for the Class of 1955 in 2015. After school Judy went on to train as a Primary School Teacher and went on to teach for 8 years. During this time she moved to Canberra where she met her husband, John. Judy studied and gained a diploma in music as a teacher. She went on to teach piano for more than 19 Years. Judy remarked that "Miss Michelle of Somerville would be surprised!! I always loved my music. Have played for five musicals including West Side Story and ...more recently Carousel, as well as many church services. Trips oversears as well as music are my great loves".
Judy's husband, John, has shared with us Judy's fond memories of Somerville House. Judy was the first of three sisters from the family to attend Somerville. Her group was called “Class of 1955” when she attended the 60th Reunion in 2015.
Her memories of her days at Somerville were very happy and she often told stories to her two daughters of her piano studies and choir conducting during her years at the school. It was through the strong support for her love of music by the school, and particularly the music curriculum, that she completed her music degree T.MusA from Australian National University’s Canberra School of Music. This enabled her to get enormous satisfaction from her lifelong career as a piano teacher, conductor, and accompanist for both singers and especially stage musical shows. She continued her love of music and choir conducting until a few years before her death. Even with dementia, that love of music was retained.
Judy’s last public performance was actually on the grand piano on the stage of the Somerville Auditorium as a guest artist for an International Conference that was held at the school in August 2016. As I was on the organising committee, I had the opportunity prior to this to be shown around the school by Judy, including her bedroom area and the dining room and the historic Cumbooquepa section of the school. Some things had not changed-intriguing.
Unfortunately, things do change, and Judy’s death at age 84 bring to an end a very successful career as a mother of two girls, a wife of almost 60 years, and a musical career that has passed on the love of music to many others.
Shalom
John Everall