OBITUARY

New Zealand Tablet, 26 August 1920, Page 23

OBITUARY

;: MRS. ELLEN HEFFERNAN, GORE. •.: - A very old resident of Gore, Southland, has passed away in , the person of Mrs. Ellen Heffernan. . Born in Co. Tipperary, Ireland, she left her , native shores at an; early age to seek . fortune abroad. With her husband, the late Philip Heffernan, one of the earliest farmers in the district, she came to Gore in the midseventies. To her humble cottage the Lawrence priest went every three months, or thereabouts, to celebrate the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass to a handful of Irish and Polish Catholics. Needless to say there were no shirkers, and all looked forward to his coming, little thinking in those days of the convent and beautiful church which Gore was destined to possess. The deceased, full of years piously spent, was laid to rest by the side of her late husband in the Gore Cemetery. She died as she lived, a quiet and retiring personage. To her family of one son and four daughters sincere sympathy is extended.—R.I.P.

MISS M. A. WALLEY, CHRISTCHURCH. By the death of Miss M. A. Walley, of Caversham Street, Christchurch, who passed away on August 12, the Catholics of Christchurch generally, and the Cathedral parish in particular, mourn the loss of a devoted worker (writes our own correspondent). The late Miss Walley was born in Melbourne, but at an early age, with her parents, came to New Zealand, settling first at Lyttelton and then in South Canterbury. Hefather was well known as a business man in the south, and his remains and those of his wife were buried at Timarn. For the past 28 years Miss .Walley, with her sister and brother, have resided in Christchurch, and every Catholic movement will find the name of the deceased either directly or indirectly written in its records. She was for 12 years president of the Children of Mary (previously president at Timaru, also); president of the Confraternity of Diocesan Ladies of Charity; an ardent worker for the Altar Society and on the Cathedral Parish .Committee of the Catholic Federation. Every bazaar and social function in connection with the Church or the Hibernian Society found Miss Walley among the most energetic workers, her services being given ungrudgingly, and her duties carried out conscientiously. After an illness of about three months, borne with Christian fortitude, patience, and exemplary piety; she died under the care of the Nursing Sisters at Lewisham Hospital. During her illness she was attended to by the clergy from the Cathedral and St. Mary's, and the Sisters of the Mission. Requiem Mass was celebrated at the Cathedral on last Monday morning, the great assemblage being a testimony to the respect in which the late Miss Walley was held. . The Children of Mary were present in large numbers. Rev. Father Bonetto celebrated the Mass, and Very Rev. Dr. Kennedy conducted the funeral ceremonies at the Cathedral as well as at th* graveside.—R.l.P.

MR. PATRICK FORD, GORE. One of the oldest pioneers of Southland in the person of Patrick Ford recently passed away at his home, Canning Street, Gore. The late Mr. Ford arrived in New Zealand in the year 1861, landing at Port Chalmers. He was amongst the early diggers at Gabrie! s Cully, when the diggings commenced there, and followed principally his trade of carpenter, making the usual appliances for the diggers who worked their claims. He was married at St. Joseph’s Church, Dunedin, to Miss Ellen Crowe, and the newly-married f? Up i e , gT eeded to Southland, where he worked at the Bluff for some two years. Mr. Ford then took up tanning at Gropers Bush, and eventually settled at Lhatton, near Gore, where he was most successful. Re retired about seven years ago, and lived at Gore P o e time of his death. Deceased was ever a

loyal and faithful member of : the . Church, and ready whenever a call was made for its advancement/, Gaelic was his native language, and his interest in the development ,of .his . } native land was maintained to the last. He leaves , a widow, and/five sons and three daughters married, and another ’ daughter (Sister M. Catherine), who is , a religious of the Sisters of Mercy at Seymour, Victoria; —R.I.P; M ' J ;'; ' yl T