By Alva “Bobbie” Cowen

Grace’s Evelyn Lott’s husband, John William Cowen, deserted her and her young son about 1900, and later on he remarried twice more.

Grace was forced to bring up her son on her own. It is understood that she took in washing, and also had a boarder when she was living at 16 Octavia St. St. Kilda (this street demolished in later years to make way for new freeway).

Grace was born in Hamilton on 18/10/1871, her father was Thomas Alfred Lott, and her mother was Frances Elizabeth Mason.

Grace had three sisters and one brother:

Elizabeth Lott (b1868)
Mary Jane (b1870)
Fanny Lott M. Creighton -(Jockey)
Winifred Lott
Thomas Lott

Grace was fond of dancing and singing according to her son, and when taken to the theatre would hiss and call out to the villain in the show.

Grace married John William Cowen in Melbourne on 22/1/1896. Before the marriage took place, however she had a daughter who died, and a son, Francis William Cowen, born in Surry Hills, Sydney.

Grace had a hard life taking in lodgers and washing other people's clothes to make ends meet.

She died in the home of her son, in Gardenvale on 24th April,1947.