Vale Fortian: Vera Millicent Howard (Pausey)

Born 27th August 1915
Died 1st September 2020
Aged 105 and 5 days

Vera lived until early August this year in her own home, still enjoying making her own meals and sitting in her garden. She was in hospital after a fall and sadly, was unable to return to her home. Vera’s wish was not to have any funeral or service – she did not want anyone to mourn her passing, but just to have a glass of “plonk” to celebrate her very long life.  But Vera’s life was definitely worth a mention. She was an outstanding student under the guidance of Miss Fanny Cohen, headmistress of the Girls’ school at the time.

Vera was Dux of the school in 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th form. She was awarded 6 A grade passes and 1 B grade pass in the Intermediate Certificate. In that year she won prizes for her English and Greek results.

In 1932, the year Vera graduated, she was dux of the school. She gained 1st place in her French exam, she was awarded 2nd class honours in her Latin exam, and 1st place in Greek with 1st class Honours. Her name is mentioned on the school Honour Boards for the ‘Girls Special Prize’ and gaining ‘Honours in the Leaving Certificate Examination’ for 1st place in her Greek exam. She was awarded a 2nd grade diploma for the Alliance Française Examination.
1932 was the year the Sydney Harbour Bridge opened and Fortians were the first people to march across the bridge before it was opened for traffic.

Vera went on to study Classics at Sydney University (Latin, Greek and two years of Psychology), she then completed a Diploma of Education, and went on to teach languages at High School.
She was required to resign when she got married, but was called back to teaching during the Second World War.
She had 25 years of teaching both at primary and at secondary levels and was a Primary School Deputy at the time of her retirement.

Chris Egan
Fort Street Archives