Biographical information provided by Stefanie Lash, Archives New Zealand, for the He Tohu exhibition:
Ada Emily Foster was born in 1858 in Heidelburg, Australia. She trained and worked as a teacher’s assistant in North Canterbury, and continued to teach after her marriage in 1886 to Alaraic Lissaman, a chemist. They had two sons: Selwyn and Alaric Disraeli. When her children were young Ada maintained her teacher’s registration. The family moved to Te Kuiti in about 1910.
Ada had a fine alto singing voice and was noted in newspapers for the success of her performances.
Her son Selwyn was an academic success and became a chemist. Her son Alaric died in France on 30 March 1918, just a few months before the end of the First World War.
Ada died in Te Kuiti in 1924, aged 64.