OBITUARY

New Zealand Tablet, 4 September 1919, Page 39

OBITUARY

MISS CECILIA O'CONOR, NELSON. I" The death occurred «on Monday, August; 11, at the residence of her sister" Mrs. Ellen O'Beirne, Nelson, of Miss Cecilia Margaret, O'Conor, in her 92nd year (writes our own correspondent). The deceased lady was a daughter of Mr. Roderick O'Conor, of Dublin, in which city she was born on July 12, 1828, a year before Catholic emancipation was won by Daniel O'Connell. She was a descendant of Roderic O'Conor, the last monarch of Ireland, "as brave a man, perhaps, as ever drew a sword for God and for fatherland; as unfortunate a man as ever was doomed to preserve his dignity and to go down to his grave in the midst of misfortunes, but without a taint of dishonor." Love of faith and fatherland were with this descendant of a sainted king a real passion, and her life of unaffected piety was an edification,to all. Miss O'Conor was one of the first, members, of the Sodality, of the Children of Mary, this sodality being approved by Pope Pius IX. when she was in her 19th year. To the end she remained affectionately devoted to it, and wearing her ribbon and medal she breathed her last. Throughout her long illness she was attended by Father McGrath, S.M. The deceased was-a sister of the late Mr. Eugene O'Conor, well remembered throughout New Zealand as "the Buller Lion.'* He was a prominent figure in the old provincial days, and for many years represented the Buller electorate in Parliament. The late Mr. O'Conor was the founder of the O'Conor Home, Westport. Like her brother, Miss O'Conor was devoted to the cause of charity, and will be remembered by many beneficiaries.—R. I .P.

MRS. ELLEN HAYWARD, CHRISTCHURCH. One of the most devoted and highly-respected Catholic residents of Christchurch, in the person of Mrs. Ellen Hayward, relict of William Hayward, passed away recently at her residence, "Mount Loreto," Cashmere Hills. Solemn Requiem Mass was offered at the Cathedral for the repose of her soul, Father Cooiiey (Lyttelton) being celebrant, Very Rev. Dean Hyland (Rangiora) deacon, and Father Silk (Holy Cross College, Mosgiel) subdeacon. The Very Rev. Dr. Kennedy, Adm., was master of ceremonies, the Very Rev. Dean Regnault, S.M., and Father Seymour, S.M., being also present in the sanctuary. A full choir, composed, of members of the Cathedral and of St. Mary's Church Choirs, conducted by Mr. W. T. Ward, sang the incidental music. The surviving members of the family, who mourn their loss, are Messrs. J. R. and G. C. Hayward, the well-known Christchurch merchants and manufacturers; Mr. W. Hayward, Rink Motor Taxi and Garage proprietary: Madame Nance Mead, the talented soprano vocalist; and Miss E. Hayward, teacher of singing and music.—R.l.P. ..._..

.: ;--'-. An Appreciation. ..,/... ~-..'. (Contributed.) Z This last few years has seen the passing away of many of the Catholic pioneers of New Zealand. I feel justified in mentioning the late Mrs. Ellen Hayward amongst these good souls, who fought so hard against such odds for their faith, and who succeeded, by the help of their devoted, holy, unselfish priests, to make the Catholic Church in New Zealand the stronghold of, faith that it is to-day.. Ellen Hayward was born in Fermoy, Co. Cork, Ireland, in 1843, of good Irish parents, who had suffered many trials for their faith. At the age of 18 years, having lost her parents, she came to New Zealand to join a married sister who had been here some years. She had little of this world's goods, but was rich in the jewels of simplicity, purity, and honesty. Her good name was her treasure, and she guarded it jealously. In : 1864 she married a staunch Protestant, William Hayward, and both were ,so certain of their own r faith being right, and.not wishing to incur God's ' anger; were married in" both Churches,

but to the wife her 3 Church "came first, and so she felt the second .ceremony. was v only, a form. For 17 years she fought the fight that mothers of mixed marriages know so well, always having her children baptised the instant she was able. At the end of those weary years of prayer and fighting she was rewarded by God for her / perseverance by | lier ■ husband becoming ' as staunch in her faith as herself.' The rest of her married life was spent in thanking her Maker for great graces. .In her death she showed the reward given to a very chosen soul, as Our Lord poured graces upon her -which enabled her to thank Him for her sufferings. Her last three days were spent in, her agony, during which time she was unable to swallow, but each- day begged for Holy Communion, which, by some special grace from God, she was enabled to swallow, her last being seven hours before she passed away. For-three months she had suffered untold pain, but the more she suffered the more she kissed her crucifix, and thanked God for His goodness to her. Her picture of the Sacred Heart she conversed with, as if His Divine Presence was truly at the foot of her bed. Thus she taught us, her children, how. to die, and while she still had bre*ath exhorted us to live good lives that we might die holy deaths. We miss her dear face, and sweet reprimands, which still came even when we were grown up, and which, I am grateful to say, we still heeded. Our loss.is her gain. May the Sacred Heart, that she loved so fervently and so often told that she put all her trust, in, crown her as one of His chosen servants.