Ethel was born in 1886 in Auckland. Her parents were John and Elizabeth Graydon (born Jones). Ethel was the couple’s eldest daughter, and 1 of 11 siblings. John supported the family as a carpenter and shipwright. The Graydon’s lived primarily in Auckland but moved to Westport briefly in 1903.
Ethel married Louie Daldorf in 1905. Louie was born in Trondheim, Norway in 1865. He became a naturalised New Zealand citizen in 1893. Louie was a mariner throughout his working life. The couple lived in Wellington where their first child was born in 1906 and named George Anders Raymond. The same year Louie was nominated as a special constable of the Harbour Board.
But sadly their marriage was short-lived. Ethel’s death notice in 1908 read:
‘On 20th October, at Maida Vale Road, Roseneath, Ethel May (also baby stillborn), dearly beloved wife of Louis [sic] Daldorf, eldest daughter of J. Graydon, Onehunga, aged 22 years. Auckland papers please copy.’
Louie requested a notice of thanks be printed in the newspaper to acknowledge the messages of sympathy, letters, telegrams and floral tributes he received.
In 1918, Louie married Elizabeth Mulqueen in Dunedin. He died aged 85. Ethel and Louie’s son George died in 1992. Both are buried in Andersons Bay Cemetery.
Plot: *Public 2/I/138
By Julia Kennedy
