SINGER PASSES.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 82, 5 March 1938, Page 9

SINGER PASSES.

KNOWN IN PALMERSTON NORTH Cabled advice has been received in Dunedin of the death in England of Mrs Eric Stride, known to a number of Palmerston "North friends as Miss Margaret Howden. Mrs Stride stayed for a few days in Palmerston North in 1937 with her aunt, Miss Howden, of Nash Street. Mr A. J. Graham was very interested in Mrs Stride’s musical ability and as an outcome Mrs Stride sang at an evening service at St. Andrew’s Church, also at a social hour held afterwards. In the following week Mrs Stride contributed solos at a ladies’ meeting. Subsequently she proceeded to Auckland where she was married. Mrs Stride passed away in a nursing home at Lee-on-the-Solent. She was well-known in Dunedin musical circles and also in Port Chalmers, where her ■ loving and unselfish dis- ' position had endeared-her to all. Possessor of a rich contralto voice she won the ladies’ vocal championship at the Dunedin competitions festival in 1936 and also gained considerable success at the Christchurch competitions. She was a popular performer on the concert platform. Mrs Stride had intended to further her musical studies in England at one of the London academies. Of a charming personality, she was at all times ready to assist any church or charitable organisation. She was the only daughter of Mr and Mrs J. A. Howden, of Port Chalmers, and was 28 years of age. During her short visit to Palmerston North she made a number of friends whose sympathy will be extended to her parents, and to her aunt in this city.