OBITUARY

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23080, 24 July 1940, Page 2

OBITUARY

MRS W. O. MCKAY

The death occurred on Monday, at her home in Fitzgerald avenue, of Mrs Alice Forrester Mackay, the . first woman in Australia or New Zealand to graduate bachelor of music, and the eleventh woman in the British Isles to gain that honour. Sir Frederick Bridge cabled his congratulations on the excellent writing of the cantata for her degree., Mrs Mackay was the wife of Mr Walter Ormiston Mackay, a brother of the late Miss Jessie Mackay. .Her father was the late Mr Joseph Rowley, of the Lands and Survey Department, Christchurch, and her grandfather was the founder of the Christchurch Musical Union. Early in life Mrs Mackay showed • great talent as a pianist, and she studied under her aunt, Miss Mary "'Rowley; : who was a pianist and singer 'of distinction. Mrs Mackay was educated at the. 'West Christchurch Girls’, High School,-and passed,with honours to the Canterbury University, where a few years' after her marriage to the late Mr. Donald McLean (Lagmhor): she gained her degree as bachelor of music. - For some years sheled.a retired life, devoting her time to her two small girls, but she continued her musical compositions. Both she and the late Mr McLean gave generously of time; and money in-helping public bodies, and it was Mr McLean’s cousin, the late Mr Alan McLean, who bequeathed “Quamby” and “Holly Lea” to the, women of Canterbury,

After' the death of her first husband, Mrs Mackay went, to live at Ashburton,- where some years later she married 1 Mr John .Forrester.

/During the last war she helped patriotic' societies' by'playing at concerts, many of-her selections being her own compositions‘.with-words written by they.late/ Jessie' Mackay. A lullaby, in which‘ the two had collaborated, appeared in.Lady Liverpool’s gift book to raise funds for patriotic purposes. Another song, “One Flag, One Throne,” published in London, had words written by Mr J. Liddell Kelly, and was popular not only in the Dominion but in other parts of the Empire. Mr Forrester died shortly after the war, and in 1931 his widow married Mr W. O. Mackay. She is- survived by her/ husband and two daughters, Mrs Rex Pearce (WiUowby) and Mrs Ross Brodie (Rangitata). The latter has gamed distinction as a singer in New Zealand and overseas, -There are seven grandchildren.

ENGAGEMENT

The engagement is announced of John, elder son of Mrs-' and the late Mr.'A. ’J. Froud, Wellington, to Patricia; second daughter of Mr and Mrs W. T. Fo'wler, Christchurch.

FREE KINDERGARTEN ASSOCIATION

The-monthly meeting of the Christchurch Free Kindergarten Association was held at the kindergarten room, Hereford street Mrs H. T. J. Thacker (president) presided, and there were representatives from each school present. Reports from the eight kindergartens showed that the attendance had been well maintained and that the health of the children had been good. Mrs A. Keith Hadfield (honorary treasurer) reported on finance . and pointed out that the position for the future was serious. Edch mennjaer reaffirmed her intention to do'all in-her power to help the kindergartens to; win through and thus keep, going a’ work so important tb children, more ‘especiaUy at the'.prgseht 'time. •' -, 'y />-, Arrangement£s,Wqre'dj§cpssed regarding. Daffodil held ' this/year early in.-;. October." i lb; /was -/decided to run a Jafge and'h surprise packet stall; on/ that ;day.- It; was decided fqyaopealVfor; gifts )£6r/- surprise packets'. ■aThe Sydenham Kindergarten Committee; (was; thanked' for arranging euchre ’ parties to help the central funds... It wasrepprted that several kindergartens had held card, parties in' aid of the Red Cross funds.