ALMOST FORGOTTEN
A Virtual Memorial Experience
Hannah O’Keeffe
(1832-1895) RC Sec 5 Grave 9
NAME
Hannah O’Keeffe
DATE OF BIRTH
1832
CATEGORY
Almost Forgotten
DATE OF DEATH
1895
CEMETERY
Colac Cemetery
Life Story
Hannah O’Keeffe’s life was one of endurance, shaped by courage, hardship, and devotion to family. Born Hannah Cox in County Cork in 1832 to Peter Cox and Johanna Lyons, she left her homeland at just twenty-four, arriving in Australia aboard the Derry Castle in 1853—one of many young women seeking a new beginning in an unfamiliar land.
Within a year, Hannah married John O’Keeffe, and together they began building their life. Between 1855 and 1861, four children—Catherine, Edward, Elizabeth, and Mary—were born in Mulgrave, sadly Edward died in early childhood. In 1865, at Cundare, their fifth child Hannah was born.
By the 1870s, as large pastoral runs were subdivided, John and Hannah joined other families taking up land in the Irrewillipe district; a small but growing rural community. Life there was demanding and often isolating. Hannah’s days were filled with unrelenting labour from before dawn until nightfall, all with the most basic of means.
Despite her strength, Hannah’s health was fragile. She was admitted to Colac Hospital in 1883 at the age of fifty-two, and again in later years. The family endured further hardship when John was declared insolvent in 1884, and the following year served three months in prison after being unable to pay a fine. During this time, Hannah’s condition worsened, and she eventually became paralysed.
She died at home three weeks after her final hospital stay. John marked her grave with a small heart-shaped headstone—a simple but tender symbol of enduring love. When he died in 1913, he was laid to rest beside her.
Research by Kerrie Ryan
Story by Kerrie Ryan
Narrated by Robyn Alexander
© 2026 Colac & District Family History Group Inc.
All rights reserved.
Life stories have been researched and compiled by the Colac & District Family History Group Inc. and its independent contributors. This material must not be copied or reproduced without permission. AI tools have been used to assist.
For more information, please contact the Colac & District Family History Group Inc.
© Colac & District Family History Group Inc 2026
This profile is a potted biography prepared from more extensive research undertaken by the Colac & District Family History Group (CDFHG). For additional information, historical records, or further research relating to this individual, please contact the CDFHG team.