OBITUARY

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24800, 14 February 1946, Page 2

OBITUARY

MRS C. W. BARRELL The detth occurred yesterday of Mrs Hilda Barrell, wife of Mr C. W. Barrell. Born-in Dunedin and educated at a private school in Melbourne, Mrs Barrell had lived in Christchurch since her marriage, which took place in Christchurch at the Durham Street Methodist Church, of which she was a staunch member.

Many years ago Mrs Barrell began to take an active part in the public life of Christchurch and proved herself an able administrator and a kind and generous friend to those in less fortunate circumstances. For two and a half years, until her death, she was president of the Christchurch branch of the National Council of Women, after having held the office of vicepresident for several terms. She was vitally interested in the. Women’s Christian Temperance Union, having been president of the Riccarton branch of the union for more than 21 years, and she held the offices of district president and Dominion vice-president at the time of her death. During the depression years Mrs Barrell did good work as chairwoman of the Girls’ Employment Committee. She was a useful member of the Methodist Orphanage Board, and was also a Justice of the Peace.

But Mrs Barrell will be longest and most gratefully remembered for her many personal kindnesses and for ner practical sympathy with patients in the mental hospital. For years she visited, every Sunday, patients who had f<4W or ho friends. She learnt the likes and dislikes of each patient and tried to cheer, them by taking them gifts that pleased them. Mrs Barrell is survived by her husband, one son (Mr C. D. Barrell of Christchurch), and one daughter (Mrs Bell, wife of the Rev. C. H. Bell. Wellington). MRS M. A. CHRISTIAN The death occurred recently at her home in Bromley, after a short illness, of Mrs Mary Ann Christian in her ninety-flrst year. Mrs Christian took an active interest in the affairs of the Bromley district, and for many years served on the Bromley School Committee, occupying the position of both secretary and chairwoman. She will long be remembered for her outstanding patriotic work during the 1914-1918 war, and her tireless efforts for the Red Cross. She was greatly interested in children, and was district visitor for the Child Welfare Department, a post she held for a number of years. She is survived by a daughter. Miss May Christian. Her husband died 20 years ago.