Obituary MRS M. DUNNAGE

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30215, 21 August 1963, Page 2

Obituary MRS M. DUNNAGE

Mrs Madeline Dunnage, a descendant of the first owner of the “tea caddy” house at Papanui, died recently at Kaiapoi, aged 96. Named the “tea caddy” for its widely-known hospitality, the home, which was recently demolished, was built by the Rev. George Dunnage, first vicar of Papanui, early in the 1860 s. It passed from the family soon after his death, and was not owned by the family again until it was bought by Mrs Dunnage’s husband, the late Mr F. W. Dunnage, in 1924. Mrs Dunnage lived there till recently with one of her six daughters, Miss Edna Dunnage. Mrs Dunnage came from England as a young girl. The homestead, one of the first prefabricated houses built in the Dominion, was full of her family's treasures. Most of these were sold when the house was demolished. Born at Maidenhead, England. Mrs Dunnage lived in Canterbury since she was 11. She was married at Holy Trinity Church, Avonside, by Canon W. A. Pascoe. She had 10 children, 29 grandchildren. and 44 great-grand-children.

In spite of her numerous family interests and many activities, Mrs Dunnage did private nursing for about 30 years.