Makers: Judith Collins with 10 members of extended family

Panel number: 165

Petition Sheet Number: 203

Person honouring: Ellen Burney

Relationship to makers: none

Ellen Burney (nee McGrath) was an Irish woman who raised a family of nine with her Jamaican-born husband, Peter Martin Burney who died in Christchurch in 1899 aged 54. His occupation was understood to be a whaler/sealer or labourer. His origins are uncertain.  According to some family sources, Ellen had a hard life fighting against racism as her children were dark-skinned. 

She died on 11 February 1919 aged 71 and is buried with her husband in Linwood Cemetery, Christchurch.

Panel materials: Fabric scraps and thread we already had, plus some recycled bits.