Her mother was Elizabeth Kniest (born Waldeck) whose Methodist parents had been missionaries.

[1] Her father, John Stephen Maley, started a successful flour mill[2] that supplied Greenough and its surrounds.

The Kindergarten system in the state was founded by that organisation, as was the local Girl Guides Association.

[1] She was an advocate for fresh food and notably wholemeal wheat; which she believed had restored her to full health after an illness.

[5] Farrelly was involved with that part of the organisation that formed in Western Australia.