"The First Lady of Queensland Funerals"

 

In 1883, Kate Mary Smith was the first Queensland funeral director to bring a woman’s understanding to what had been a male dominated business. She founded K.M.Smith Funeral Directors. She was a true pioneer... a woman ahead of her time. She has been honoured in the Queensland Business Leaders Hall of Fame.

While her photo may be black and white, Kate Mary was a colourful figure. Born in Ireland, she sailed to Australia in 1863 at age 18. She settled originally at Somerset in Cape York followed by periods at Mornington and Thursday Islands before moving to Brisbane in 1874. When her husband John died in 1886, she personally raised their 6 children while running the family funeral business. She was also a certified embalmer... quite a woman.

Her lady’s touch and woman’s understanding continues today as a hallmark of K. M. Smith Funeral Directors.

For more about the history of Kate Mary go to K.M.Smith website - History

For more general information about K.M.Smith Funeral Directors go to K.M.Smith website - Home Page

Or you can email us at: info@kmsmith.com.au