Hessie Annie was born at home on the 4th of December 1917 to George and Hessie Izzard.  She was one of five children – brothers Arthur and Bill and sisters Ivy and Milsy.  When the young Hessie was around seven or eight, George decided having two Hessie’s in the house was just too much and so grew the name that we all knew and loved her by – Topsy.  

Topsy’s childhood was spent on the banks of the Shoalhaven River where she used to walk a mile to school and back along with Arthur, Billy, Ivy and her Dad, who just happened to be the school teacher.  

Up the hill and down the other side and not too long a walk or horse ride thereafter lived the man that Topsy fell in love with and married – Jack Vincent Hart.  Together for 61 years, they built a warm and happy home and were blessed with the birth of six children - Val, John, Ted, Greg, Les and Gary, all still surviving.   On Topsy’s passing, she was mother to six, grandmother to 14, great grandmother to 29 and great great grandmother to 13 - five generations in total.  

Topsy and Jake enjoyed a great life together – they were fine dance partners and won a lot of ribbons and sashes spending their time on the dance floors at Gundillion and Majors Creek.  

Topsy was a great reader with a particular fondness for romance novels.  She enjoyed doing crossword puzzles and was a magnificent cook.  She liked to keep a cat around the farmhouse but had quite a curious habit of calling each and every one of them Alowiches which is probably why she only ever had one at a time.  

After many years of living on the farm, illness took its toll on Jack and a move to Braidwood was necessary.  Shortly after the original move, Jack sadly passed away.  Nan and Gary then settled in a lovely old home and Nan was once again able to enjoy her passion for gardening.  Again the ravages of age and ill health took their toll and Topsy and Gary moved to Queanbeyan where Nan was well cared for at the Nursing Home.  

It seems that a lot of memories shared by Topsy’s family revolved around her kitchen!  Meringues with hundreds and thousands and apricot slice and junket and flummery sprung to mind, fresh cream and butter made by Topsy in the dairy outback, fruit from her orchard and fresh eggs from the chickens.  

Whilst living a quiet and gentle life, as reflected in the woman she was, she had strong family values and she instilled in all of her offspring the importance of family and faith, kindness and tolerance, generosity and forgiveness and love.

These wonderful attributes were passed to all her children and the evidence of the strength of her messages to them were exemplified by the devotion and care she received, particularly in the latter part of her life, by her youngest son, Gary.  Gary’s commitment to ensuring Topsy’s life was peaceful and loving was something handled by Gary with the utmost dedication, respect and care.

One grandchild reflected on her own memories and stated “For me, the image of Nan that I want to take with me is of Nan walking towards Heaven’s Gates —perhaps in her best dress which would be covered by her apron of course.  And if I have to bet on one thing, it’s this. Just like he was 61 years ago, I’m sure Grandpa Jake will be there waiting, ready to take her home.”

For the Hart family, they will continue to honour her and remember her for the loving role she has played in their lives and to take inspiration from the gentle way in which she lived hers.

Contributed by Kathy Hart.