OBITUARY

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20929, 7 January 1938, Page 10

OBITUARY

MRS G. HAMPTON RHODES Friends in all parts of the Dominion and many in England will learn with deep regret of the death of Mrs Alice Henrietta Rhodes, of "Oakford,” Riccarton, widow of Mr George Hampton Rhodes, formerly of “Claremont,” South Canterbury. Mrs Rhodes spent Christmas at her son’s homestead. "Palmside,” North Canterbury, and appeared to be in good health until ten days ago when she became gravely ill and her death occurred at 8 o'clock on Wednesday night. Mrs Rhodes was born at Stonehouse. Plymouth, Devon, on November 7, 1862. She was the youngest daughter of John Cornelius Thierens, of Demarara, and of Avice Spurway, of Oakford, Spurway Barton. North Devon. She came to New Zealand in 1880. ana lived with her half-uncle, the late Mr Thomas J. Teschemaker. "The Otaio,” South Canterbury, until 1887. when she was married to the late Mr George Hampton Rhodes, of "Clare-

mont,” Timaru. their marriage being the first to be celebrated in Christchurch Cathedral. She lived at “Claremont” until 1901. when she went tc England, where her children were educated. The family returned to New Zealand in 1912. and after her husband’s death in May. 1914. Mrs Rhodes agair went to England, and returned to Neu j Zealand after the Great War. She lived at “Elmwood.” Heaton street, unti: 1926. when she purchased "Oakford.’ Lower Riccarton. There she dispensed kindly hospitality to a large circle ol friends and entertained many distinguished visitors to Christchurch. Mrs Rhodes was a keen and skilful gardener, who specialised in roses. She was a successful exhibitor at the Canterbury Horticultural Society's shows and at the last show her blooms wor seven first and two second prizes Amongst many other trophies she wor the Bankshire medal. Much of her leisure was spent doing needlework anc i in knitting, at which she excelled. I Mrs Rhodes took a practical interest : in the Nurse Maude District Nursing Association, the Hospital Lady Visi- | tors’ Association, St. James's Church Riccarton, and in the womens auxiliary of the Canterbury Manufacturers Association, of which she was patron She was also lady patron of the Canterbury Kennel Club, and president oi the North Canterbury branch of the National Party. She delighted in helping the organisations i i which she was interested by lending the beautiful ground at “Oakford” for their social gatherings, and only four weeks ago. the members of the women's auxiliary of the Manufacturers’ Association spent a very happy afternoon at her home and were personally conducted through the grounds by Mrs Rhodes. I Dignified, kindly, gracious. Mrs ! Rhodes was a charming hostess, a woman of outstanding personality whose loyalty, generosity, and high sense of citizenship will long be gratefully remembered in Canterbury. She is survived by two sons. Mr John | Heaton Rhodes and Commander Eric George Rhodes, both of Christchurch; two sisters, Mrs W. F. Davidson, of i Luchie, North Berwick, Scotland, and j M?rs H. H. Pitman, of Essex, England; | and one brother. Mr J. C. Thierens. of Edinburgh. Her only daughter died in 1922.