OBITUARY

New Zealand Tablet, 12 February 1914, Page 43

OBITUARY

MRS. C. SHEA, TAKAPUNA.

Auckland has lost another of its oldest identities in the person of Mrs. C. Shea, late of Takapuna. The . deceased lady had for some years past resided with her cousin, Mrs. Bryant, of Brentvilie, Mt. Eden. She was the second daughter of the late Thomas Boynton, whose name figures so largely in the earliest records of the Catholic Church in New Zealand. . As far back as 1838 he was in business at Hokianga as a timber merchant, having settled there on his arrival from Ireland about 1820. From the arrival of the venerable Bishop Bompallier in 1838 at Hokianga the Boynton family were the staunchest adherents of the Church. Mr. Boynton not only gave up his house to the Bishop’s use, but with his own hands built the first Catholic church in New Zealand ; and for a period of thirty years he and his family gave most generously not only of their means but still more valuable services. Mr. Boynton was at all times most assiduous in bringing the natives and Catholic settlers into touclf with their new pastors. Towards the close of his life he lived mainly at Takapuna, where he had purchased the beautiful property which, ' in accordance with the wishes of her parents, Mrs. Shea recently ceded by deed of gift to the Sisters of Mercy. The deceased lady was much esteemed for her many fine qualities: and though invalided for years, she was always kept in touch with Church interests. The funeral service, which took place on Monday, was conducted by the Rev. Father Furlong, of Devonport, who was assisted by the Very Rev. Dean Mahony, of Onehunga, Rev. Father Golden, of Ponsonby, and Rev. Father Forde, ,who read the service at St. Benedict’s prior to the funeral leaving for tire O’Neill’s Point Cemetery. In the procession were, besides several relatives of the Boynton family, Messrs. Nolan and McCarthy, the Sisters of Mercy, and several old friends from the Takapuna district. On Tuesday a Solemn Requiem Mass was celebrated at St. Benedict’s Church, at which the Sisters of Mercy and numerous friends assisted.R.T.B. MR. JAMES GEARY, WAIHI. We regret to have to record the death of Mr. James Geary, which occurred at the local Hospital on Tuesday, January 27, in his 75th year. Deceased leaves a widow and grown-up family to mourn their loss. Mr. Geary was a very old and much respected resident of Waihi. The funeral took place on Thursday, and was largely attended. JThe Rev. Father Wright, assisted by the Ven. Archdeacon Hackett, of Paeroa, performed the last rites of the Church both at St. Joseph’s Church and at the graveside. At' both Masses on Sunday Father Wright referred to the splendid work the deceased had done for the Church in Waihi, and requested the congregation to stand while the ‘ Dead March ’ was played as a mark of respect to Mr. Geary, —R.I.F.