Before self-government in Canberra, there were two constants to the civil service and politics in the nation's young capital: Sir Robert Menzies and the Kingslands.
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The death of Lady Kathleen "Ki" Kingsland on July 4 at the grand age of 101 marked the passing of a remarkable woman and the closing of an important chapter in Canberra's growth and history.
Mr Ross Kingsland, now retired after almost three decades of service with the CSIRO, said his mother will be remembered as a vital, energetic woman who provided a vital anchor point for her husband's stellar career.
Born Julius Cohen, Sir Richard adopted the surname of his stepfather and became a skilled pilot, rising quickly through the ranks to that of Australia's youngest Group Captain. He left the air force to become one of Canberra's most capable and respected senior administrators. He died in 2012 at the age of 95.
The couple had been married for 69 years.
"They were really an amazing team," Mr Kingsland said.
"My father met my mother at a social event at Rathmines air base near Lake Macquarie in NSW, where he was the commanding officer."
Group Captain Kingsland was also the social event organiser so would extend an invitation to serving personnel from surrounding areas including, of course, the ladies from the local Women's Auxiliary Air Force.
Kathleen Adams, too, had joined the air force and quickly rose to officer rank at the New Lambton base near Newcastle, training US troops in the art of tracking aircraft.
"My father saw my mother across a crowded room and told his friends: 'I'm going to marry that girl'," daughter Deborah Kingsland said.
"It was a whirlwind courtship; she married my father just three months after meeting him."
After leaving a distinguished military career, Sir Richard became the first manager of Sydney Airport and upon joining the Commonwealth civil service, rose quickly into senior management roles. The young couple moved to Canberra in 1959.
Such were his skills as an energetic and innovative administrator, Sir Richard was one of Canberra's most sought-after senior public servants and was knighted for his services in 1978.
Throughout her husband's busy career, Lady Kathleen raised three children and provided a rockbed of support that Ross Kingsland described as "so hugely important to my father".
As her husband's career took the family around Australia and to England, she packed up and moved the family 27 times to make a new home elsewhere.
"My mother grew up in Adelaide and lost her own mother at age 15. She always had this calm determination and resilience," Ross Kingsland said.
"She could mix in any social circle and would engage with people regardless of what walk of life they were from.
"My parents came from a generation which genuinely believed that those who are blessed with fortunate and successful lives should give back to the community and help others.
"So after my father retired from the public service, which everyone had to do back then at age 65, that's what they did.
"A quiet retirement was out of the question for my father and my parents became even busier with government committees, charity and community work."
The Kingslands were strong supporters of the arts. Among the many organisations which benefited from the Kingslands' patronage and support were the Canberra School of Art, the Canberra Symphony Orchestra, the Canberra School of Music, Barnardos Australia, the Australian War Memorial and the National Heart Foundation.
The Kingsland residents arts program in Canberra continues to provide support for Australia's outstanding violinists seeking to develop their professional careers.
A memorial service will be scheduled for Lady Kathleen on August 16.
