OBITUARY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 17 January 1939, Page 2

OBITUARY

MRS SARAH ANN GOODYER A RESIDENT OF MURCHISON FOR MANY YEARS The death has occurred after a short illness of Mrs Sarah Ann Goodyer, widow of the late Mr William Henry Goodyer, of Murchison. The late Mrs Goodyer who was a native of Victoria came to New Zealand in 1875 in the steamer Alhambra in company with her parents, the late Mr and Mrs W. Griffiths, settling in the mining village of Boatmans, near Reefton. After her marriage she resided at the Alpine Hill, Lyell, later transferring to Murchison where she and her late husband lived for many years where they earned the respect and admiration of the community for their willingness to assist any cases of hardship and distress and for their wonderful social and community spirit. After the 1929 earthquake, the late Mrs Goodyer came, in company with her daughter, Mrs I. Johnston, and her grandaughter Miss Ena Johnston, to live in Nelson where, by her kindly disposition, she earned the love and respect of a wide circle of friends. The late Mrs Goodyer was predeceased by two sons. Thomas (an infant), William Henry, and by a daughter, Agnes, wife of Mr S. Anderson. Besides a host of friends, the remaining members of the family to mourn her loss are: Joseph William (Murchison), Arthur (Dunedin), Mrs B. Hunt (New Plymouth), Charles (Inangahua Junction), John (Riwaka), Mrs I. Johnston (Emano street. Nelson), and James (Hawera). There are also twenty grandchildren and four great-grand-children. The late Mrs Goodyer was a keen lover of nature and an ardent worker amongst the flowers which she loved so well. The funeral which took place at the Murchison Cemetery was attended by a large number of mourners from all parts of the district. A particularly large number of floral tributes bore additiontal testimony to the esteem in which the deceased lady was held. Amongst the tributes to her memory were wreaths from the staff of the State Hotel. New Plymouth, the Riwaka School Committee, thp Riwaka Social Club and the Riverside Tennis Club, Riwaka. Prior to the cortege leaving Nelson, an impressive service was conducted by the Rev. Canon Haultain, vicar of All Saints, at the residence of Mrs Johnston. Nelson, where a large number of friends attended. The service at the cemetery, preceded by a short reading at the residence of Mr J. W. Goodyer, Murchison, was impressively conducted by the Rev. Mr Spencer. The bearers were Messrs B. Reade. M. Spiers. Reg. Thomson. J. Downie Jun., and Clifford and William Goodyer, grandsons of the deceased.