Shep's Place Family Tree

Else lived at home with her mother and elder sister Vi in Binnie Street, Bordertown helping to care for her mother until she died in 1936. She is remembered in the family as a brilliant pianist and played for several operas. She played croquet on the court near her home with her sister Violet. After her mother's death, she stayed with her sister, who died in 1957. Else inherited the family property of Winterlake, looked after by a manager until it was sold in 1978. She moved to Adelaide in 1957, living with a companion at 36 Linden Ave, Hazelwood Park. When her companion grew too old to care for her, she moved into a nursing home at Clayton.

She celebrated her 100th birthday at Clayton Church Nursing Home with 22 nieces and nephews, the Advertiser commenting, "Elsie's still full of living at 100. You are only as old as you feel - or so they say! And the living proof is Miss Elsie Jean Ferguson who turned 100 earlier this week. The sprightly Miss Ferguson was the centre of attention at the Clayton Nursing home as she cajoled and charmed those who helped her celebrate her birthday of the century. And there were plenty of well-wishers to help her blow up balloons and hang streamers. And of course, the telegrams from across the world were on time. There was one from the Queen, one from the Prime Minister, Mr Hawke and another from the Governor, Sir Donald Dunstan."

Else had a stroke 10 days later and her health deteriorated. She died in 1987 and is buried at Bordertown, "Elsie Jean, beloved daughter of Gilbert and Jane, 31 Oct 1987, in her 102 year, Abide with me, Fast falls the eventide."