Mrs Judith Mary RALPH - MUMMY JUDE (31
December 2002, aged 82)
Judith was the wife of Richard (Dick) Ralph of the Education Dept (1948-1966).
Dick died in 1978. Judith and Dick lived in Port Moresby, Rabaul and Dregerhafen
before returning to Port Moresby in 1951. Judith was an early enthusiastic
supporter of CWA, Red Cross, and the early Konedobu Housewives Association, as
well as a stalwart of St John Anglican Church. For many years (1952-1966) she
ran a child minding centre at her home in Kaevaga offering a range of care from
preschool to after school for up to 20 children at a time. To children and
parents she was 'Mummy Jude', as Judith was too informal and Aunty Judith
inappropriate as 'she was not their aunt'. Many years later, at a PNG function
in Canberra, a woman came to her and said 'I should know your name, but please
forgive me, I can only remember you as Mummy Jude'. Inevitably she became Mummy
Jude to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Judith is survived by her 5 children (most of whom worked in PNG at some time),
13 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
Richard (Rik) Ralph (Una Voce - March 2003)
