[1] Page was born in Christchurch, New Zealand, in 1899, the youngest of seven children of Mary Renshaw and John Polson.

[2] She initially wanted to follow in her father's footsteps and learn book-keeping, and asked to be sent to Christchurch Technical College, however she didn't enjoy the experience.

She quickly progressed from elementary to advanced classes, under her teachers Cecil Kelly, Leonard Booth, Archibald Nicoll and Richard Wallwork.

In 1936 she travelled to Europe where she visited the Tate Gallery of portraits in London and was impressed by the French Post Impressionists.

[2] In the 1987 New Year Honours, Page was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire, for services to art.