OBITUARY - FROM BULAWAYO CHRONICLE
Woman who walked to Gaberone
By our Selukwe Correspondent
The death of Mrs Eleanor Louisa Breen, a highly respected resident of Selukwe District, took place at the Selukwe Hospital last Saturday.
Mrs Breen was 87 years of age (1.03.1941)
The daughter of Joseph Allison, an 1820 settler, Mrs Breen was born in the Cape Province where she spent her early years. In 1870, she married John Breen. They had a family of fifteen children, of whom three are now alive.
Mr Breen came to Southern Rhodesia about 1895, leaving his wife and some of children at his farm at Zeerust, Transvaal. He was employed in transport work between Garerones and Bulawayo.
At the outbreak of the Boer War, Mrs Breen abandoned the farm at Zeerust, and accompanied by her three daughters, she walked to Gaberones, a distance of about one hundred miles.
The journey was fraught with great danger and difficulty in those troubled days. Mrs Breen then came up to Rhodesia, where she joined her husband. In 1900 they came to the Bonsor Mine, Selukwe, where Mr Breen was engaged in contracting. Later, they went to the Surprise Mine, Selukwe, where Mr Breen was the Compound Manager.
In those early days, and for many years afterwards, Mrs Breen rendered invaluable services as a nurse. She travelled a wide area going as far as Gwanda on occasion, under conditions involving much hardship and discomfort. She earned the gratitude of many a sick settler. On leaving the Surprise Mine, Mr and Mrs Breen resided in Selukwe for about two years. In 1910 they took over Mount Bougai Farm, about 14 miles from Selukwe, where Mrs Breen lived till shortly before her death.
Mr Breen died in 1920, and then Mrs Breen managed the farm, meeting many difficulties with courage and hard work. `The death of Mrs Breen removes yet another of that gallant band of early women settlers to whom this Colony owes so much. She lived a busy and useful life and could tell many interesting tales of the early days.
The funeral, which was largely attended took place on Sunday afternoon. The funeral service was conducted by the Rev E Mark Risdon. The pallbearers were Mr Dan Wood, Mr J Douglas Smith, Mr T B Van Blerk, Mr A Breen (grandson), Mr T M Boulter (grandson) and Mr S M Mavros.
Relatives who attended included Mrs & Mrs P D Breen (son & daughter in law), Mr Frank Breen (son), Miss F Breen (grandaughter), Mrs M O dea (sister), Mrs G Streak (grandaughter) Mrs M Boulter (grandaughter), and Mrs T B Van Blerk (grandaughter)
