OBITUARY

Southland Times, Issue 25330, 4 April 1944, Page 7

OBITUARY

Miss Dorothy Paterson Miss Dorothy Paterson, who died ori Sunday, was a well known business woman of Invercargill. She the founder of two successful catering businesses in the city, the Brown Owl Cafe and Elmwood Garden. Miss Paterson, who was born in Dunedin, was the second daughter of Mr Nathaniel Paterson and the late Mrs Paterson. Her father is a well known business man of Dunedin, being senior partner in the firm of N. and E. S. Paterson, Ltd., auctioneers and land agents. Miss Paterson was educated at Braemar House and was trained as a nurse in Sydney and Christchurch. In 1926 she accompanied her parents on a world tour which included the Far East, India, Egypt, Palestine, Europe, Britain and America.

During this tour Miss Paterson became interested in the management of cafes and on her return to New Zealand decided to establish herself in that business in Invercargill. This decision was reached only after she had investigated possibilities in other parts of New Zealand and had come to the conclusion that Invercargill and Southland offered the best prospects. Her first venture was the Mary Elizabeth cafe and later she opened the well known Brown Owl cafe and Elmwood Garden. Some years ago Miss Paterson made a trip to America partly as a holiday and partly to gain new ideas in cafe management. Miss Paterson was keenly interested in flying. She was one of the earliest members of the Southland Aero Club and was among the first who were trained for pilots’ licences. Aftergaining her A licence she qualified for the B licence, which is necessary before a pilot can take charge of a plane carrying passengers. She was one of the few women in New Zealand who have qualified for a B licence. She was a member of the committee of the Aero Club and she gave particular set-

vice to the club in its social activities. Miss Paterson was of Scottish descent. She was a direct descendant of Old Mortality, made famous by Sir Walter Scott, and of the Rev. Dr Nathaniel Paterson of St. Andrew’s Church, Edinburgh, who “came out” at the time of the Great Disruption in 1843 and later was one of the first moderators of the Free Church of Scotland.

A memorial service conducted by the Rev. C. J. Tocker was held in St. Paul’s Chqrch yesterday afternoon. The funeral will take place in Dunedin on Thursday, ~ - — ■C —