OBITUARY.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 143673, 18 December 1911, Page 7

OBITUARY.

MRS. EDWARD GREY. Last night, at the Whitcdey Atcmoriai Church, the Rev, J. W. ilurton made the following reference to the late Mrs, Hdward okey;— “Last Sunday we laid to rest the earthly remains of Ann -Mary Okey. iu the Christian that death is but the portal to more real life. “ r i ho deceas'd lady was, for over fifty years., a member of this congregation, and alnxist to the end. she attended regulimy the services of the sanotuary. It wa> a joy to her to see her family .taking their part in the work of the-clmrch, and to thorn, to-night, wo tender our appreciation of the life thart has just passed away. “Mrs. (skey was* born in the year I«2D, in Gloucestershire, England. Prior to her marriage to Mr. Edward Okcy in 1863, she fro&owed the vocation of a school teacher. In 1807, this young couple, with their infant son (who is now one of our circuit stewards. Mr. Nelson Okey) arrived fn New Plymouth and took up laud on Frankloy Road. Mrs. Okey suffered, with her husband, more than the average hardships of early pioneering, hut tl*ose were borne with characteristic cheerfulness and fortitude. Shortly after their arrival in Taranaki, the never-to-be-forgotten Maori War broke out, and one incident will servo to illustrate the independent spirit of the lady whom we honour today. All able-bodied men—Air. Okey coming among the number—were iu arms, but the military movements were somewhat hampered by the presence of so many women and children. The order came that they were to go to Nelson. Several shiploads had gone, and it came to Mrs. Okey’s turn to leave with her two children—for another son, now Mr. H. Okoy, M.P., had been born to them since they landed in New Zealand. The cart duly called for the luggage, but the wife and mother was not to be found. She had determined to remain by her husband. and, unknown to him. had hid herself until the ship had gone. ‘‘Though regular attendants at the moans of grace. Mr. and Mrs. Okoy had not at that time definitely professed faith in Christ, but under the ministry of the Rev, W. Kirk a gracious revival took place, and they wore among those to yield themselves to the maims of the Master. The altar light was lit in the homo, and it was never suffered to go out. ‘‘After many years of willing and valuable sendee. Mr. Edward Okey was laid to rest about two years ago'; and now there sleeps beside him, in the quiet grave, Ihe loyal partner of his life's struggles and successes. There is a wide circle of friends, many of them now grown somewhat old themselves, who will miss her gentle face, and who will recall her quiet, unassuming but useful life. It is, however, by dutiful and loving children that sho will be most missed, for she was a great mother. We cannot find it in our hearts to sorrow because sho is gone, life at cighty-tw r o becomes pale* and wearying, and it were only selfishness to wish it prolonged. Gratitude and thankfulness must possess ns gratitude for a long life of service and influence, and thankfulness that death came, not as a grisly terror, but with gentle hands, to carry hence a shock of corn fully ripe. Death was without sting, the grave was without a victory. She lives hero below Tu the blood and character of three generations who bear her name, and who will prize tho tradition of that wholesome life; but sho lives above among those who have been faithful in a few things and who, therefore, have entered into the joy of their Lord.”