Comment

Obituaries are written by Herald staff or contributors, but we welcome information from relatives and friends. Contact the obituaries editor on (02) 9282 2509 or timelines@smh.com.au.

Click here for information on death notices, finding archived obituaries and buying reproductions of published Fairfax content.

Obituaries

In Passing.

In Passing

Mesnil Turner, who has died aged 96, was one of the last of the Thirties debutantes, a noted Yorkshire beauty who was named after a battlefield, danced for royalty, and married two extraordinary men, both RAF pilots held captive in the infamous Stalag Luft III. One husband was a charming rascal who abandoned her when she was pregnant, and later wrote a wildly un-PC cookery book that became a publishing sensation 30 years after his death. The other, to whom the first had entrusted his young wife when he left her, took part in the famous 1943 Great Escape attempt at Stalag Luft III, helping to disguise the mass escape attempt by British prisoners by disposing of tunnel diggings through holes in his trousers.

Leader of Bohemian circle 'Sydney Push' argued philosopy over an ale

Philosopher Jim Baker who was a prominent member of the "Sydney Push".

Allan James "Jim" Baker, who has died aged 94, was one of Australia's more interesting philosophers, intellectuals, and gadflies. He was a prominent member of the Sydney Push, the Bohemian intellectual circle that met in Sydney's city and inner-city pubs from the late 1940s.

Last of the famously philanthropic Rockefeller family

David Rockefeller, the last of his generation in the famously philanthropic Rockefeller family, pictured in 1981.

David Rockefeller, who grew up in the largest private residence in New York City, was required to do chores. At 7, he spent eight hours a day raking leaves on the family's 3,400 acre estate.

In Passing

John Surtees at an open day at Goodwood Racecourse, UK, 2004

John Surtees, Fred Weintraub, Royal Robbins

Vigorous fighter for the conservative cause

Andrew Hay

Andrew Hay, a key figure in the loans scandal that led to the downfall of the Whitlam Goverment, went on to be a champion of economic rationalism and the business community.

Lawyer's vision had international influence

Judge Christopher Weeramantry and his wife Rosemary accept a gift from Australia Sri Lanka Council member Ian Fry to ...

Former Monash law professor Judge Christoper Weeramantry was a towering intellect who pushed the boundaries of international law. His vision and his capacity to motivate lawyers and educators around the world to accept changes in legal practice earned him many awards.

Lifelong champion of traditional jazz

Tony Standish, enthusiast for traditional blues and jazz

Tony Standish, who has died aged 85, was a lifelong devotee of blues and traditional jazz who inspired many local record collections.

Surgeon outstanding in his specialty

Jim O'Collins, leading urologist

Jim O'Collins contributed to the remarkable progress in treating the urinary system made during his years in that specialised field of surgery.

In Passing

Irvine Sellar owner of the Mates fashion boutique on Carnaby Street, London, in 1969.

Irvine Sellar, Emmanuelle Khanh, Aileen Hernandez