GREYMOUTH.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXV, Issue 17, 27 August 1897, Page 31

GREYMOUTH.

THE LATE SISTER MARY ALOYSIUS DUNGAN. (From an occasional correspondent.) On the early morning of the 10th of August Sister Mary Aloysius Dungan died in the Convent of Mercy of Greymouth after a brief illness. She was a resident in the convent for thirteen years. She was never of a robust constitution, and it was through considerable care that her life was preserved so long. That care was always most lovingly and freely given, and the community were amply repaid in various ways for their kind attention to her. She was of most exemplary life, very amiable of disposition, and as expressed by the local Press, "Her equal as teacher of music was not easily to be found in the Colony." Her ability and amiable disposition attracted many to the convent, and all who came in contact with her could easily see in her countenance how happy are they who reside in the Greymouth Convent. The great esteem in which she was held was clearly demonstrated by the large attendance at her funeral. The day was certainly all that could be desired, so a very considerable portion of the population of Greymouth turned out to consign to mother earth the body of her whom they loved so well. The lady portion of the community especially were present in great numbers. Abundant were the tears shed by them in genuine sorrow, and many and beautiful were the wreaths, crowns and crosses of choicest flowers made by loving hands to testify their respect and regret for the dear departed one. Multitudes of Protestant young ladies were also present and were equally grieved with the Catholics, as many of them were her music pupils. The beautiful parish church was draped in black for the occasion, and all the priests but one, of the diocese of Christchurch on the West Coast were present at the Bequiem Mass sung for the repose of her soul, and attended her burial.

The funeral, though a mourn ful,| was a very pretty eight. The altar boys in cassock headed the procession. The Catholic Church committee bore the pall before the hearse. Then followed many carriages. The children of Mary, clad in their beautiful dress, the school children and general public followed, and at different vantage positions along the revte to the cemetery photographers took photos of the funeral procession. Thus terminated the earthly career of Sister Mary Aloysius Dungan, Sister of Mercy, one of live s fairest, holiest and gentlest of daughters, loved, esteemed and deeply regretted by all who knew her on earth. She received in this life the hundredfold promised by our Blessed Redeemer. And we hope she is now one amongst that glorious band of virgins who sing in heaven that canticle that none but virgins can sing, whose especial privilege it is to follow the Lamb of God, with the name of Christ and His heavenly Father emblazoned on their foreheads.