Sisters reunited after 35 years

Press, 17 March 1977, Page 22

Sisters reunited after 35 years

After almost 35 years of exchanging letters and S holographs, two sisters ave finally been reunited in Christchurch. The sisters, Mrs Joyce

French-Wright and Mrs Lilian Connelly had not seen each other since 1942, until Mrs Connelly and her husband arrived in Christchurch at the beginning of

March for a month’s tour of New Zealand.

Mrs Connelly married a Canadian in 1942 and went to live in Hudson, Quebec, while Mrs French-Wright married a New Zealander and came to live in Christchurch.

Unlike her sister who has been to England ’ several times since she was married, Mrs French-Wright has seen no other members of her family since she came to New Zealand in 1946.

Both sisters are grandmothers, but neither had seen each other’s children and grandchildren until Mrs Connelly arrived in New Zealand.

“We’ve been sending letters and photographs for the past 35 years, and with Lilian visiting England a number of times, she was* able to write and tell. me what was going on at home,” Mrs French-Wright said. “However, now that she’s here to tell me, it’s so much better.” Mr and Mrs Connelly have enjoyed their holiday so much that they “are determined to come back within two years.”

Both sisters are keen golfers, so their days have been spent at local courses. They also plan to try salmon fishing and before the Connellys return to Canada, they will drive through the North Island.