OBITUARY

Opunake Times, 16 August 1932, Page 2

OBITUARY

MRS. K. A. BRENNAN. AGED 78 YEAIIS. As the day drew to a close on Friday last there passed from among us an old and highly respected resident in the person of Mrs.'Kate Aloyius Brennan, widow of the late Mr. M. J. Brennan, who predeceased her 12 years ago. The death took place at the residence of her daughter, Mrs. J. Fearer, Opua Eoad, by whom she had been devotedly nursed during her long illness.

Mrs. Brennan was born in Tasmania 78 years ago, coming to New Zealand as a young woman to take up school teaching. In 1875 she was married to the late Mr. M. J. Brennan at Tauranga, and after residing for a few years in the Auckland district, came with her husband to Pa tea, Wanganui and -Manaia. Thirty-six years ago they came to Opunake. Of a letiriug disposition deceased took little active part in later j-ears in public affairs. She was a devout Catholic and helped considerably with the erection of the first Catholic Church and Convent School in Opunake. When the parish was attached to the Hawera parish, she was one of the first teachers of the Catechism class after the church was built.

Deceased leaves a grown up family of five sons and four daughters namely: Reginald (Auckland), Rupert and Arthur (Opunake), Kenneth and Alan ( Wellington), Mesdames J. Fearer and D. Ross (Opunake), W. J. Gilmour (Tauranga) and E. H. Jones (Hunterville), a brother, Mr. J. A. Brown (Wellington); a sister, Miss Brown (Tasmania) ; 26 grandchildren and five great grandchildren. The funeral took place yesterday, Rev. Father Kennedy officiating’ at the church and graveside. Mr. W. Markham presided at the organ and played “Crossing the Bar,” and the “Dead March in Saul.” The choir feelingly sang “Nearer My God to Thee.” The pall bearers were Messrs J. Young, R. O’Rorke, T. Carey, J. Reaver, D. O’Sullivan and J. O’Sullivan.

A large number of beautiful wreaths were sent by friends. The sincere sympathy of a very wide circle of friends will go out to those bereaved.