LATE MRS. DUCKWORTH

Evening Post, Volume CXL, Issue 56, 4 September 1945, Page 10

LATE MRS. DUCKWORTH

LIN& WITH BISHOP SELWYN

The death occurred recently of Levin's oldest citizen, Mrs. L. E. Duckworth, in her 97th year. A resident of Levin for the last 33 years, Mrs. Duckworth was held in the highest regard by the whole community. She was born at Nelson in 1848, where her parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Eyes, had a sheep station. Her father represented the Marlborough district in the third New Zealand Parliament, from 1861 to 1866. In 1868 she married Mr. Hugh Duckworth, who had come from England. They returned to the Old Country shortly after and remained for eight years, returning to reside at Blenheim. During a subsequent visit to England Mr. Duckworth died, and his widow returned to New Zealand. In 1912 she came to Levin, where she resided until her death. Mrs. Duckworth was an ardent supporter of St. Mary's Anglican Church and was described as the mother of the Ladies' Guild. She also took-, a lively interest in missions and the British and Foreign Bible Society. It is possible that the death of Mrs. Duckworth removes the last surviving link between Bishop Selwyn and the Dominion, she having been christened by the pioneer of Christianity in this land. The funeral took place last Friday and the service was conducted by the Rev. Morland at St. Mary's Church. Mrs. Duckworth is survived by one brother, Mr. S. Eyes, of Levin.