OBITUARY

Waikato Independent, Volume XXXVI, Issue 3420, 15 February 1936, Page 4

OBITUARY

MRS MARY SUSAN CHITTY SIXTY YEARS IN CAMBRIDGE The death of Mrs Mary Susan Chitty at her daughter's residence in Leamington, yesterday, will be regretted by a large circle of friends throughout the Waikato; but chiefly she, will be missed in Cambridge—her home for over sixty years. Mrs Chitty came to Cambridge West, as Leamington was then called as a young bride in 1873, and her first home, "The Willows," close to the old bridge, was for nearly fifty years a centre where all found a true pioneer welcome and hospitality. The memory of Mrs Chitty will long be associated with St. Andrew's Church, where for over twenty years she acted as organist. When Duke Street was still "the camp" she officiated at the harmonium in the first St. Andrew's building. She played when the present church was opened and again when the pipeorgan was first heard. Her connection with the choir was broken only after the loss of her husband in 1915. Throughout these years Mrs Chitty was prominent in every musical function in the district and her valued assistance was greatly appreciated.

Mrs Chitty was always an- ardent gardener, and the little home by the river had a setting that brightened the old main road from Pukerinm. Early Life From Birmingham, her birthplace, as Mary Susan Bright, she came to Auckland with her parents in 1864. In those war years, she experienced most of the discomforts and many of the thrills that made up the life of the pioneer. Her happy married life opened in 1873 and closed in 1915, with the death of Mr Chitty. Later she sold the old home.and moved into Cambridge, but with the failing health of old age she has lived at Leamington with her daugter and son-in-law. The late Mrs Chitty leaves a family of two, Mr H. Chitty of Kumeu, and Mrs Thos. Hounslow, of Leamington. A service will be held at St. Andrew's Anglican Church at 2.30 p.m. to-morrow and the funeral will leave immediately afterwards for the Cambridge Cemetery. '