Obituary

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 227, 26 September 1935, Page 2

Obituary

t— , MRS. DU T SINCLAIR. The passing of Mrs. Duncan Sinclair, which occurred at Palmerston North on September 23, brought to a close the long life of one of the city's most interesting personalities. The deceased lady, who was'iu her 94 th year, was one whose companionship was eagerly sought by her relatives and a wide circle of friends, retaining as she did vivid recollections of a life packed full of incident.

Born at Swanagc, Dorset, m 1842, Mrs. Sinclair, who was a sister of Cap tain John and Messrs James and Fred Mowlem, proceeded with her parents to Guernsey at the age of nine years, where the family resided for some years, leaving in 1854 for Australia, where her father undertook construction work, laying the foundations oi the present Melbourne Post Office, aud erecting part of the historic I’entridge prison. Her elder brother, Captain Mowlem, became master of the vessel Plectra, trading between England and New Zealand. In 1870, Mrs. Sinclair landed in Wellington with her parents and was married by Rev. James Patterson in 1572. After residing for 24 years in Wellington, Air. and Airs. Sinclair took up their residence at Wai-aui-o-Alata and in 1882 Mr. Sinclair purchased the Lowry Bay estate acrosstho harbour from Wellington, where they resided until they came to Palmerston North in ISBS. Mrs.' Sinclair will bo .missed by her many friends and the older members of St. Paul’s Church, whero Mr. Sinclair was one of the pillars of the church. Airs. Sinclair was predeceased by her husband, two daughters, Airs. J. S. W'atchorn and Airs. P. Danvers, and two sons, Alessrs Duncan and Leonard Sinclair. Left to mourn their loss are three sons, Alessrs Hugh, Norman and Harold Sinclair, and two daughters, Airs. J. Louissou and Mrs. C. A. Bierre, all of Palmerston North; also 22 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

The funeral took place privately yesterday morning, the pall-bearers at the church being Messrs Hugh aud Norman Sinclair (sons), J. Louissou and C. Bierre (sons-in-law) and D. .Sinclair and Norman Sinclair (grandsons), while at the cemetery the bearers were Alessrs H. and N. Sinclair, C. Bierre, J. Louissou aud G. Watohoru and Duncan Sinclair (grandsons). Rev. A. N. Seottcr conducted the church and graveside services. Alauy beautiful floral tributes covered the coflin, evidence of the high esteem in which Mrs. Sinclair was held.