Person:Helen Draper (2)

Helen Zoe, preferred to be called Zoe, spent the first 22 years of her life growing up on a farm called "Darling Hill" in Western Australia . She was the daughter of large farming family who are believed to have lived around the York and Bridgetown areas of Western Australia. Her father's name was George Thomas Draper and her mother's maiden name was Scott. After a falling out with her family, Zoe moved to South Australia where she lived for 38 years. During her time in South Australia she gave birth to a son, Edward Thomas Draper (aka Ted) in 1925. Zoe never married Ted's father. Due to her personal situation, Zoe was unable to keep her son, Ted, living with her and he spent many of his childhood years in and out of various foster homes. In 1944, Zoe married Ewen George Macpherson, who was a stockman at the time they married. Ewen had spent some time working around Katherine in the Northern Territory. Ewen was a descendent of the Cluny Macpherson clan and Zoe had on her possession a postcard from one his relatives regarding the family home, Cluny Castle Newtonmore, just prior to it being sold by his uncle. Zoe and Ewen may have separated, or perhaps divorced, although the details of this are unknown. Zoe worked as a ladies companion until she moved to Melbourne to be closer to her son, Ted, and his family. Unfortunately, Zoe had many personal and mental health issues which made her life a very difficult one. Zoe spent the remaining 12 years of her life living in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia until her death in 1972. Her grandchildren are in receipt of a thank you letter from her sister and brother-in-law, Hilda and Wilfred Moulton of Donnybrook, written to Zoe's son Ted after her death. Her death certificate records her marital status as a widow. Her body was cremated at the Springvale Crematorium, Melbourne, Australia.

1. ↑ Zoe Macpherson and Edward Benson were never married.
2. ↑ Died of bronchopneumonia, renal failure and myocardial ischaemia.
3. ↑ The Marriage Certificate of Helen Zoe Draper and Ewen George Macpherson dated 20th January, 1944 states Zoe was 43 years of age on this date. However, her grandchildren are doubtful this is her correct age. Her grandchildren believe she was born about 1892.