Obituary

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 123, 26 May 1937, Page 15

Obituary

MRS R. H. RHODES The death occurred on Saturday at her residence, “Came,” Sealy street, Timaru, of Mrs Jessy Rhodes, widow of Robert Heaton Rhodes, in her seventyfirst year. Well known throughout the Dominion and in North and South Canterbury in particular, Mrs Rhodes had innnumerable friends who will regret to hear of her death. In her earlier days she was extremely well known for her many activities on public bodies, and during her whole life was noted for, her kindly and cheerful personality. Mrs Rhodes was the youngest of nine children of Mr and Mrs Charles Robert Bidwill, and was born at Pihautea, Peatherston, on November 7, 1866. Her father was a son. of Mr J. G. Bidwell, of Exeter, England, and her mother was Catherine, eldest daughter of Mr and Mrs John Orbell, of Waikouaiti, Otago. On April 16, 1890, she married Mr Robert Heaton Rhodes, sheep-farmer, Blue Cliffs, St. Andrews, South Canterbury, son of Mr George Rhodes, the Levels.

Mr and Mrs Rhodes lived on the station at Blue Cliffs until the death of Mr Rhodes on August 11, 1918, after which Mrs Rhodes moyed to “Came,” Sealy street, Timaru, the station being carried on afterwards by her daughter (her only child) and her husband, Dr P. R. Woodhouse, brother of Miss N. Woodhouse,. of Palmerston. North. MRS A. J. CARSON The death on May 19 of Mrs Grace Margaret Deacon Carson, of Opiki, at the residence of her sister, Mr G. M. Ransou, 513 Peatherston street, Palmerston North removed one whose family has been connected for a long period with the Opiki district. Mrs Carson had suffered an illness, and had only a short time before left the hospital for her sister’s home, but her death came as a shock to her many relatives and friends. Mrs Carson was the sixth daughter of the late Mr W. D. Squire, and Mrs Squire, of Roberts line, Bunnythorpe and was born fifty-two years ago at Whakarongo, her parents being highly respected and worthy pioneers of this district. The late Mrs Carson was married at Whakarongo in 1908 and had since resided in Palmerston North, until her husband, some four or five years ago, moved to Opiki, taking over a farm there. Although of a retiring disposition Mrs Carson had a wide circle of friends, to whom she endeared herself by reason of her pleasing personality. The mute eloquence of the profusion of floral tributes, together with the number of letters and telegrams of sympathy received, all combined to show a significant recognition of the worth of a friend and a fellow feeling with those in bereavement.

In addition to her aged mother Mrs W. D. Squire, of Bunnythorpe, she is survived by her husband, one son, Mr A. Carson (Palmerston North), four daughters, Misses Lily, Minnie, Florie, and Marjorie Carson, of Opiki, and three grandchildren. Also left to mourn their loss are six sisters: Mesdames W. P. Ellis (Wanganui), J. W.‘ Cleveiy (Bunnythorpe), G. M. Ranson (Featherston street), Miss Marion Squire (Bunnythorpe), Mesdames J. Law (Palmerston North), and M. Lee (Auckland) and one brother, Mr W. H. J. Squire (New Plymouth). Another sister, Mrs C. Haydon, passed away about eighteen months ago. The casket was conveyed to its last nesting place at Kelvin Grove cemetery, the pall-bearers at. the residence" being Messrs W. Squire (brother), G. Ranson, J. Cleveiy, J. Law, C. Haydon, (brother-in-laws) and W. Ellis, while at Kelvin Grove, the pall-bearers were her nephews, Messrs J. W. and R. Cleveiy, S. Haydon, P. Krivan, and J. Goodwin. The funeral rites were impressively conducted at both residence and graveside by the Presbyterian minister, the Rev.' J. Murray, of Shannon.