Page 114 - GAHS Journal Volume 9

A QUIET WOMAN?

Cherokee Indian and the niece of Jenny Wyse-Power (Kathleen
Phelan). The women’s robing room was a place of refuge and
interesting conversations, and it was hardly surprising that she
led them in a campaign to get it back, insisting on the sign
reading 'Women', not 'Lady' Barristers.

Her family circumstances were not as easy as they had been
- her father died in 1934 and her brother never followed her into
the Bar. He spent long periods away pursuing a distinguished
military career in the Royal Army Supply Corps. Effectively the
main breadwinner and de facto head of the household, her
responsibility was for her mother who died in 1952 well into her
late 80s. Her beloved twin retired as a Brigadier with an OBE and
eventually returned home, dying in 1966.

Averil chose to continue driving in from Greystones to the
Law Library in Dublin in her ‘souped up’ Triumph Herald until she
retired. Commanding respect and affection in equal measure
amongst her colleagues, anyone who commandeered her
parking space was likely to suffer retribution.

Conclusion

Back home in Greystones, she was remembered rather more
for her slightly acerbic tongue, adherence to the old manners,
and an ability to create motoring chaos. But she was also
remembered for her kindness to those who did not share her
religion or her class and to children who lived nearby. Audrey
Warnock recalls the Deverells as very nice, easy going, and very
tolerant, allowing them to use the tennis court and to roam as
they pleased over the back garden with only the occasional
sanction for extreme transgressions.

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