DEATH OF CENTENARIAN

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 83, 2 January 1930, Page 4

DEATH OF CENTENARIAN

The death occurred at Christchurch at midnight on Wednesday of Mrs Sarah Ann Toms, an inmate oi * the Jubilee Home, Woolston. She held . her 100th birthday party at the-home on the evening of October 28 last and took great interest and delight in the celebration, which was attended by nwre than 150 people Her husband, Mr. William Toms, died in 1900, ami was well known in Christchurch, particularly in Masonic circles. She had no' other relatives in New Zealand, except a grand-nephew of her husband, Mr. Hobbs. „ M l l nia i aim entered the home on April 3, 191 J. She was born in India in 1829, of Irish stock. Her father was John Dougbney, and was a non-commissioned _ officer in the second battalion of tile First Royal Regiment of Foot. Eighteen months after her birth her father, who lost a leg in an engagement, was ordered Home and the family settled down first at Chatham and afterwards in Jersey. After her marriage to JMr. Toms the young couple decided to come to New Zealand and selected Christchurch for their residence. They lived in the second house built in Andover Street. Merivale, and later they removed to Milson Street, also in Merivale. Prior to her husband s death Mrs. Toms acted as a nurse at the Christchurch Hospital. io the fact that she preferred an outdoor life and spent much of her time in the garden Mrs. Toms attributed some of her longevity During the visit of the GovernorGeneral to the Jubilee Home early this year Sir Charles Fergusson had a. chat with Mrs. Toms, who spoke of her early life in England and connection members of her family had with the army.