Originally transcribed as C. S. Ulrick
Biography contributed by Katherine Blakeley
Catherine Sarah Spence was born about 1840, probably in Ireland.
She married George Henry Frederick Ulrich on 21 July 1871 at South Yarra, Victoria. George was a geologist and lecturer at the School of Mines.
They had four children in Victoria before sailing for Otago in 1878 where they had a further three children and where George was a lecturer in mining at Otago University. When Catherine signed the suffrage petition the family were living in Duke Street.
Catherine was active in the Dunedin Free Kindergarten Association serving on the council and as president and vice president. She was awarded a life membership in 1909. She was also a member of the Ladies’ Musical Club and the Kahanga Club.
George died in 1900 when he fell down a cliff while collecting rock specimens with his son.
Catherine remained in Dunedin, she died at her home on 16 16th 1930 – they are buried in the family grave in the Northern Cemetery.