Maker: Catherine Watson

Panel number: 74

Petition Sheet Number: 76

Person honouring: Dynes Jane Kerse

Relationship to makers: None

Jane Kerse was born in Edrom, Scotland in 1855. She emigrated with her parents, first to Australia and then to New Zealand in 1870. Her family settled in Dunrobin, Otago. 

Her parents were farmers and she was one of nine children. In 1885 she married Robert Dynes who was also a farmer and had emigrated from Ireland. They had nine children but one of their daughters died when she was only six weeks old. 

A local newspaper reported that at the annual picnic in the area, Jane came first in a race for women with five or more children. Her sons served in the World War One and they all returned home. Some years later one son disappeared and was never found. Jane died aged 93, outliving her husband by 11 years. Jane and her husband are both buried in the Gore Cemetery.

Panel materials: Fabrics and embellishments I had in my sewing resources. Some were vintage laces and linen with hand crocheted edges.