OBITUARY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 257, 27 September 1940, Page 8

OBITUARY.

MRS M. A. BRYANT. The passing of Mrs Mary Ann. Bryant, on Monday last, removes anot'uer link with early Manawatu, practically her whole life having been spent in Palmerston North and its environs, it was in 1883 that the late Mrs Bryant came to Palmerston North from Wellington, and she received her early education at the first school to be established in the town, on the site at present occupied by the Empire Hotel. In 1891 the deceased lady married the late Mr Henry Bryant, of a well-known Ohariu Valley family, the couple shortly afterwards commencing farming at Stoney Creek, now known as Whakarongo, these activities continuing almost to the time of Mr Bryant’s death in 1907. An ardent church worker all her life, Mrs Bryant, together with her husband bn s his retirement, was a foundation mehrber of Emmanuel Congregational Church in this town. In addition to her indefatigable church activities, Mrs Bryant showed special enthusiasm for the cause of Dr. Barnardo’s homes, being a collector and contributor over" a period, of years, for which service she received special recognition from the London office, of that organisation. Her bright and cheerful nature was a constant source of strength and encouragement to all with whom she came in contact, to which the large number of mourners, floral tributes, and other expressions of condolence received bore eloquent testimony. The late Mrs Bryant is survived by one sister, Mrs AV. Moffatt, of Tauranga. two brothers, Messrs J. A. and A. Rickard, of Palmerston North and Wellington respectively, and four sous, Messrs L. M.' and R. K. Bryant, of Palmerston North. L. A. Bryant, of Auckland, and E. R. Bryant of Hamilton. Messrs F. V. Bryant,-of Mangatainoka, and N. J. Bryant, of Awakino, are step-sons. , Following a short church service, the interment took place at the Palmerston North Cemetery on Wednesday. A final tribute to the deceased lady s memory is to be paid at a memorial service conducted by Rev. M. Darner on Sunday morning next at the Broadway Congregational Chinch.