OBITUARY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 269, 12 October 1936, Page 11

OBITUARY.

- MRS J. HOPE GIBBONS

One of the most esteemed women of AA'anganui passed away at her residence, Mount View Road, when the death occurred, on Saturday morning, of Airs Jessie Hope Gibbons. The deceased lady was in her 77th year, and was the wife of a former Mayor of Wanganui and a well-known business man.

Airs Gibbons was horn in London, and when about three years of age came with her parents, Air and Airs Alfred Barnes, to Auckland, where she lived with her family until her marriage to Air Hope Gibbons in 1891. She then went to Patea with her husband, hut they chose AA'anganui as their future home.

Known throughout New Zealand for her social and pliilanfliropic work. Airs Gibbons had been closely associated with her husband for 40 years in his mayoral and other civic duties, and she had been identified with many movements and causes needing assistance. She made a handsome gift to AA'a.nganui in the Jessie Hope Gibbons Ata.ternity Home, where no fewer than 4000 babies first saw the light of day. She was one of the first presidents of the AA'anganui Plunket Society and a prominent member of the Children’s Health Camp Association, in which she took a special interest, her love and care for babies and children being one of the great features of her philanthropic work. She was also one of the foundation members of the A'ictoria League, and together with her husband was responsible for reviving the original AA'anganui Horticultural Society. She took a keen interest in the AA'anganui Beautifying Society also. The deep sympathy of a. wide circle of friends will he extended to Air Hops Gibbons and members of the family. Mr Hope Barnes Gibbons, Lyall Bay, Mr Alfred Barnes Gibbons, Khandallalx, Air Robert Barnes Gibbons. Khandallah, Air Norman Barnes Gibbons, Lower Hutt, and Airs A. R. Gower, Lower Hutt. There are 22 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. The 6ons are directors of the , Colonial Alotor Co.. Ltd., and Hope Gibbons, Ltd., wholesale merchants, AVellington. The funeral left the residence yesterday afternoon for Christ Church, where A'en. Archdeacon J. R. A’onng held a short service. Afr Gibbons’s favourite hymn, “Abide AA'ith Ale,” was sung by Airs Leo Campion, and when the service concluded members of the St. John Ambulance Brigade, of which Afr Hope Gibbons is president, formed a guard of honour. The cortege, one of tho largest seen in AA'a.nganui, comprised represen tat ires from everv city and country organisation, as well as friends from all the surrounding districts and AA’ellington.

There was a profusion of beautiful floral trihutes, more than could he accommodated at the graveside at Ara.moho Cemetery, where Archdeacon Young also officiated. Tho pall-bearers were Airs Gibbons's six eldest grandsons, Alessrs G. and R. Gower, A. B. Gibbons, junr., G. B. Gibbons, H. Gibbons and E. N. Gibbons.

AIRS C. WATT. There passed away, recently, Airs C. Watt, an old resident of Ballance. Airs Watt was born in Scotland, and came from Inverness to New Zealand in 1912 and settled with her husband in Alangatainoka. During the period 1913-23 they lived at Alangahao. going to Ballance in 1923, where she hail resided up to the time of her death The deceased lady took a keen interest in all the activities of the district, being especially prominent in school committee functions. She was a vice-president of the Women’s Institute and gave valuable service to the sporting bodies of the district. There are left to mourn their loss the husband, Air Charles Watt, and the following members of the family. Alessrs Alex., Charles and Harry, and Misses Janet and Heather A\ att. The funeral was hold on Thursday, when there was a large number of mourners present. Many floral tributes were received, among the number Doing wreaths from the Ballance Women’s Institute, Ballance .Football Club, Ballance Tennis Club and Ballance School Committee. Rev. K. L. Warren (Paluatua) conducted the services at the residence and the graveside. The pall-bearers were Alessrs George Burr (Colyton), N. Crude u (Palmerston North!, AV. Crudcn (Longburn), Matthew (Palmerston North), T. Burr and T. Burgess (Pahiutua). _