Content Warning: Mental Illness and suicide
b.28th May 1917
at Coffs Harbour, NSW
d.1st February 1951
at Sydney, NSW
Betsie was the 6th child (3rd daughter) of Walter John and Mary Jane Anderson (nee Beacom). She was born at Coffs Harbour, NSW in 1917 around 8 years after her family had moved from the south coast of NSW. Walter and Mary would go on to have a large family of 10 children.
By the age of 25 Betsie had relocated to live in Sydney, but we do not have many details of her early adult life there. We do know that she was involved in a motor accident at some stage which resulted in her having a head injury.
The photo below is of Betsie on her wedding day, she married James Martin Dolan in 1943 in Sydney, NSW.
James was an American serviceman and their marriage was short lived. The next we know of Betsie is that she was residing with Moe Reynolds, an SP bookie in Bondi by 1944.
For seven years prior to her death, Betty lived with a Mr John Charles Reynolds, a bookmaker in the Eastern Suburbs area, known as “Moe Reynolds”. Together they lived at 11 Wonderland Avenue, Bondi. Although they never married, Betty was known as Betty Reynolds.
Statements during the Coronial Inquest into Betsie’s death by her sister Jean and Mr Reynolds, both made mention of a stay at Broughton Hall 18 months prior to her death. Broughton Hall Psychiatric Clinic was the first voluntary admission clinic in NSW, and the largest facility in Australia at the time. The use of gardens was an integral part of the patients’ treatment and paths, ponds and bridges were built throughout the grounds as a therapeutic environment for patients.
Tragically, Betty passed away at home aged 33 years.
Funeral Notice:
The relatives and friends of the late Betsie Beacom DOLAN are invited to attend her funeral to leave the Kinsela Chapels, Taylor Square, Darlinghurst, this Saturday, after service to commence at 9.45am for the Botany Cemetery.
Charles Kinsela Pty Ltd
AFDA Established 1830
Taylor Square, Darlinghurst
Phone FA 4136-7-8
– Sydney Morning Herald Sat 3rd February 1951
Anderson Family Reunion 