The sudden demise of Mrs M A Waddell, JP, of North Fremantle which came without warning of any kind, was a painful shock to the deceased lady's many friends, both in and outside the Labor Movement.

The late Mrs Waddell was born in Victoria and came to Western Australia over 40 years ago. She took up residence in North Fremantle on arrival and lived there up to her decease. She joined up with the Labor Movement at its inception and has been an enthusiastic member all her long life. She was a close student of the movement and a virile debater. In her ardent advocacy of her ideals she can best be described as a veritable steam roller, nothing could daunt her or prevent her from completing any case she made up her mind to champion. Mrs Waddell was a rugged, outspoken exponent of the working class and many an anti-Labor election candidate at public meetings retired routed and discomforted from the onslaught launched by this unbending but extremely lovable personality.

Her life was spent in serving the people. Hundreds of workers, downtrodden by misfortune, unemployment or sickness, can testify to the self-sacrificing assistance and service rendered by this champion of Labor.

For long years she was an inspiring figure on Labor election campaigns, working tirelessly for the success of candidates. The late Mrs Waddell took a prominent part in public affairs. In recognition of her social service to the community she was made a Justice of the Peace many years ago. She was a prominent member of the Labor Women's Organisation at the port, a member of the Ladies Auxiliary at the Fremantle Hospital, and for many years a member of the Fremantle Hospital Board, and the King Edward Memorial Hospital Board. She was a front rank worker in all charitable appeals in Fremantle and a foundation member of the Fremantle Infant Health Movement.

Mrs Waddell was responsible for raising many hundreds of pounds in all kinds of efforts of a social character at the port and in all her work was meticulously careful and straightforward in the handling of public money. Intensely human she had the God-given gift of finding good in everyone. No one had ever heard a hint of scandal drop from the lips of this valiant defender of the underdog. Her sudden passing without any opportunity of farewell gave a heart pang to her hosts of friends.

The funeral took place at the Karrakatta Cemetery on Monday morning and there was a large and representative attendance. Messrs G Fraser MLA, T Fox, JB Sleeman, JT Tonkin MLA, PG McMahon, WC Angwin, EH Gray MLC, AT Hookway, and GE Prout acted as pall-bearers.

There was a very big muster of both Perth and Fremantle Labor Women and they paid their last tribute to their deceased comrade by preceding the hearse to the graveside. Requiem Mass was celebrated at St Anne's Church, North Fremantle, at which the Rev Father H Kearin was the celebrant. The Rev Father John Fahey officiated at the graveside. The late Mrs Waddell leaves a husband and one son to mourn her loss.