VALE Myrtle Shield (1912 – 2009)

Myrtle Kentish was a member of a pioneering family who settled the area beyond Tara/Dalby. Myrtle was born on 21 April 1912, and spent her youth in Ipswich and Brisbane . She married Clifford Browne, a Methodist minister, in 1936.

Their ministry embraced Nanango, North Rockhampton , Gympie, Kedron, Townsville and Annerley circuits.  Myrtle served in many capacities: as a leader of Comrades,  youth camps, Women’s Guilds, and personal counselling at the Koinonia Home. 

Rev Cliff Browne was President Elect of the Methodist Conference in Queensland but, due to ill health, was unable to take up that position. He died in 1968.

Several years after Cliff’s passing she married Eric Shield of Moggill. For many years she lived in Jindalee and then in Indooroopilly. In her last six years she was a resident of Tarry Brae, Kenmore Hills. She died on 19 September 2009.

Myrtle was the sister of the late Rev Len Kentish, who died tragically during World War 2. She is survived by her son Ronald, daughters Estelle and Heather, their spouses Ainslie, Errol and John, ten grandchildren and twenty great-grandchildren.  

A large congregation celebrated her life at a service at the Indooroopilly Uniting Church , conducted by the Rev Ray Hunt.