A TRIBUTE

Evening Post, Volume CXXXII, Issue 61, 9 September 1941, Page 4

A TRIBUTE

LATE MRS. A. DE B. BRANDON

(Contributed.)

It is very difficult to do, justice to the many good and charming qualities of the late Mrs. Brandon, widow of Mr. A. de B. Brandon, who passed away on Friday. As Miss Louise Kebbell, daughter of one Of the pioneer families of Wellington, she was one of the most popular girls in the early days and after her marriage to Mr. Brandon her home at 17 Hobson Street was a hospitable and happy place. She kept up the custom begun in Wellington a great many years ago in always being at home on ■ Mondays. These Mondays were a great pleasure to more people. than it is easy to remember and during the years when travel was far more difficult than at present and Wellington no^ nearly so well known, she ■• entertained distinguished, people from many parts of the world.

In her charming old-world drawingroom Mrs. Brandon was an ideal hostess, giving courteous and cordial welcome to all; and even now, when so many of her friends have passed away Or left New Zealand, there will be real sadness for many others in passing No. 17 Hobson Street, where she always managed a parterre of lovely flowers, and in knowing that the gentle "'moving spirit is no longer-there but has left a turbulent worjd in which she created always one place of peace and happiness. She will be the more missed because she cannot be replaced in these, days and the world is the poorer for her passing. ■••', >,-.

Mrs. Brandon leaves three daughters and three; sons—Mrs. F. D. Her-' rick, Mrs. Duncan Menzies, Mrs. W. : R. Birch, Mr. de Bathe Brandon, Mr. G. W. Brandon, and Mr. P. Brandon. Her eldest son, Mr; de Bathe Brandon, had a distinguished record of service with the Air Force in the Great> War when he was awarded the M.C. and the D.5.0., and one grandson, Peter Herrick,. is serving in this war with the R.A.F. as a pilot officer.