OBITUARY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18294, 11 July 1921, Page 7

OBITUARY.

MIIS MARY ELIZABETH GORDON. Tho death is announced at her residence, in Rattray street, of Mrs Gordon, wife of Captain Gordon (of the Harbour Bonn} eervice). The deceased was born in Durham, England, and arrived in Dunedin with her parents in the sixties. She was a daughter of the late Captain Best. For years she travelled extensively, first with her father and then with her husband, having been several times round tho world. For the past 22 years she has res.’dcd permanently in New Zealand, four years at Port Chalmers and the balance of the period in Dunedin. During that time she has worked among the sick and needy, and had been a regular visitor to hospitals, homos, and such-like institutions. For nearly 15 years she hud been honorary deaconess of tho Moray Place Congregational Church. She paid on an average over 1000 visits per year in connection with her charitable work. She had been a member of the Otago Hospital Board for nearly six years, and was first elected to that body in 1912, usually topping tho iroll at tho elections, and she eventually retired voluntarily in November of last, year to provide a seat for Mr Knight. Prior to that she was vice-presi-dent of (he Victoria Jubilee Convalescent Fund Commit tee, also a- member of the Women’s and Chloren’s Society, and tho Social Workers’ Welfare Association. She did a <loa ! of war work, and was selected as the Tramway Queen in tho Queen Carnival of 1915. Tho deceased is survived by her hush,and and two grown-up daughters, one of whom is married and resides in Wellington! At the Moray Place Congregational Church yesterday the Rev. W. Saunders conducted a memorial service in memory of the deceased, there being a large, congregation. The pre-acher referred to the excellent service Mrs (Jordon had rendered among the suffering at (ho Hospital, and especially am mg those, who occupied the shelters. One great feature was that she did not forget the patients when they wore discharged from the institution, hut followed (hem to their homes, and gave them any that lay in her power. Ho made reference to her capability for the work she had chosen to devote her life to. She was possessed of a deeply sympathetic nature, and was never at any time patronising. She did not seek to .shine in the public eve. and only sought a seat on the Olago Hospital Board (hat, she might, tho better serve those whom she delighted to comfort. She had a very gracious influence i-i th" church, and in the citv generally. Mr T. Ritchie rendered “'Hie Better Land" j, ;i solo, the choir sang ‘‘Homeland,” and Mr W. R. Don, the organist, played tho '• Dead March in Saul.”