CENTENARIAN PASSES

Evening Star, Issue 23727, 7 November 1940, Page 7

CENTENARIAN PASSES

DEATH OF MRS LOUISA REASON LONG ASSOCIATION WITH SHAG POINT In her 103rd year, Mrs . Louisa Reason, probably the oldest white woman in New Zealand, died yesterday at the Company Bay Health Camp, where she had been a resident for the past two years. Well known to Otago people, she lived, until she was 98 years of ago, in a picturesque sod cottage on the foreshore near Shag Point. When the Public Works Department decided to straighten the main highway, it was found necessary to demolish the old home, and as compensation Mrs Reason was provided with a modern cottage in the same locality. But the new home did not suit her, and she sadly missed the little cottage which she and her husband had built from the sods and rushes of the foreshore about 60 years ago. Consequently she came to Dunedin. and several years ago became a resident in the Health Homo at Company Bay. Mrs Reason, despite her great age, was one of the most cheery folk in the home; she had a smile for everybody, and complaint from her was unknown.

On the occasion of the celebration of her 102nd birthday last Christmas Day she was the recipient of greetings from far and wide. Till some months ago she could read without the aid of glasses, could write, and could take part in discussions on present-day topics. During the past few years she had a few indispositions, but her cheerfulness never deserted her. Affectionately known as “ gran,” she set an example of patience to all. Mrs Reason was born at Faringdon, Berkshire, England, a few weeks after Queen Victoria ascended to the throne, and in 1893 she came to New Zealand with her husband on the ship Lutterworth, which took 16 weeks on the journey to Port Chalmers. From Port Chalmers, Mr and Mrs Reason went to Shag Point, where Mr Reason was employed in railway construction work. When this position was made permanent, they built a sod hut on the roadside after having lived in a tent for some time. In the old hut Mrs Reason continued to live till 1936, some time after the death of her husband. Then she had to give np her old home since the new road line passed through it. Mrs Reason was married twice, and she is survived by a son of her first marriage, Mr William E. Rixon, of Mornington.