Biography

Christina Latta (1896 - 1985) was born on 24^th September 1896 in the district of Riverdale, in Liverpool, Lanes, England. Her parents were Frederick Alexander Allan, who was born in St. Cyrus, Montrose, Scotland, and Susannah Allan, formerly Tharburn, who was born in Stow Village, Midlothian, Scotland. Some sisters of Frederick Allan emigrated to Tasmania in the early 1890s; Lilias, who married Peter Orr, and Hannah. Thomas, the son of Lilias, became a noted builder, and his son Allan still carries on the business.

Christina spent many of her early years in Scotland. Later the family settled in Cheshire, England.

On 18^th July 1923 Christina married Alexander Stuart Latta whose father, Alexander Latta, came from Dumbarton, Scotland. They went to live in Hoylake, Cheshire, where their two children, Jean Tharburn and Campbell Stuart, were born. Jean is now Mrs Gatenby and lives in Launceston and Campbell lives in Surrey, England.

The Lattas first came to Sydney, New South Wales, where they lived for ten years. They returned to England but in 1957 came back to Australia, staying first in Launceston for only a few months. Christina later returned to Launceston to be near her daughter. Her great interest in Launceston was St. John's Auxiliary to St. Luke's Hospital, of which she was president for many years. She was a regular attender of St. John's Church, being interested in the Women's Guild, and knitted many garments for the guild to distribute at the Queen Victoria Hospital.

Christina Latta died on 8^th June 1985 aged 88. Her family donated a chalice and paten to St. John's Church in her memory. The inscription reads:
A.M.D.G.
CHRISTINA LATTA 1896-1985

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