Obituary

New Zealand Tablet, 1 December 1921, Page 21

Obituary

MISS MARGUERITE MARY JOYCE, WEST PLAINS. With very deep regret the death is recorded of Miss Marguerite Mary Joyce, younger daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Joyce, of West Plains, Southland. As a pupil at the Dominican Convent, Invercargill, the late Miss Joyce had shown conspicuous ability, and her studies for Matriculation were interrupted by an accident she unfortunately sustained, resulting in an illness which had incapacitated her during the long period of nine years, and entailing sufferings which she endured with great fortitude. Requiem Mass for the repose of her soul was celebrated by Very Rev. Father O'Neill at the church in Waikiwi, the interment afterwards taking place in the Eastern cemetery, Father O'Neill officiating at the graveside.—

MRS. MARIA CROSBY, PAEROA. Mrs. Maria Crosby, a very old colonist, passed away recently,-at the residence of her daughter, Mrs. J. Bertelsen, Paeroa, at the ripe age of 88 years (writes our own correspondent). The deceased was born in Co. Cavan, Ireland, and came to Melbourne in her early womanhood. Two years after her arrival in that city she was married at St. Francis's Church to the late John Crosby, who at that time was employed as foreman on the Albany and Darlington section of the Melbourne railway, and later on coming to New Zealand, saw service during the Maori war, eventually settling at Hamilton, where he remained until his death about 17 years ago. Shortly after the death of her husband, the late Mrs.- Crosby came to reside with her daughter at Paeroa. The remains of deceased were conveyed to Hamilton East cemetery for interment, remaining over "night in the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary. A Requiem Mass was celebrated by Rev. Father Bleakley next morning, and Right Rev. Mgr. Hackett officiated at the graveside. In a brief address to the mourners present, Mgr. Hackett said his officiating on the occasion was in fulfilment of a promise he made to the deceased that should he survive he would conduct the last rites of Holy Church over her remains. The deceased leaves four sons, one daughter, and 25 grandchildren to mourn their loss. Another daughter (Margaret), in religion Sister M. Hubert, of the Institute of Notre Dame des Missions, predeceased her mother two years ago.— R.I.P.

MRS. MARY WEIGHT, WELLINGTON. There passed away at her residence, in Wellington, on November 5, an old and respected parishioner of St. Joseph's, in the person of Mrs. Mary Weight- Born m Co. Roscommon, Ireland, she came to New Zealand with her parents, the late Mr. and Mrs. John McManaway, of Makara, in the early 'fifties, and had resided in Wellington ever since. Although of a retiring disposition, she endeared herself to all; and her genial manner won for her many friends. She was a devout and fervent Catholic, and died fortified by the rites of Holy Church. During her long and painful illness she was constantly visited by the Sisters of Mercy and Sisters of Compassion, Sister M. Francis of the latter Order being her sister. Requiem Mass was celebrated at St. Joseph's Church, Buckle Street, by Rev. Father O'Donnell, who was untiring in his attention to her during her illness. In the sanctuary were his "Grace ArchbishopO'Shea, Rev. Fathers F. Cullen and McDermott. The children from the convent schools sang appropriate hymns. There was a \arge gathering of relatives and friends of the deceased, showing the esteem in which she was held. The interment took place at Karon, Rev. Father O'Donnell officiating at the graveside, assisted by Rev. Fathers Cullen, McDermott, Walsh, and M. Devoy, S.M. She leaves a husband,,one son, six daughters, and six grandchildren to mourn their loss.! Hel eldest son (Gordon) was killed on Gallipoli. The daughters, four of whom are religious in various convents, are —Sister Mary CleTnent, Convent of Mercy, Palmerston North; Sister Mary Columba, Home of Compassion, Jerusalem; Sister. Mary

Xavier, St. Mary's Convent of Mercy, Wellington; Sister Mary Agatha, Convent of Mercy, Newtown, Wellington; Mrs. H. Staveley, and Miss Prissie Weight. Mr. 0. J. Weight, of Wellington, is her son. To Mr. Weight and" family is extended the sympathy of a large circle 'of relatives and friends in the loss of a devoted wife and mother.—R.l.P.

MRS. MARY KEARNEY, RANFURLY. The death occurred at the Naseby Hospital recently of. one of the fast disappearing band of pioneers in the person of Mrs. Mary Kearney, Ranfurly. The deceased was the eldest daughter of - Mr. Hugh McErlane, Co. Derry, Ireland. She left for New Zealand in July, 1877, in the ship James Nicol Fleming with her brother, Mr. Pat McErlane, of Ranfurly. After landing at Port Chalmers in October of the same year, she came on to friends in-Naseby, and in 1881 was married to Mr. John Kearney, who had taken up a section of land in what was then known as "Chapman's Swamp," where after hard toil, industry, and perseverance ' they carved a home for themselves out of the wilderness of scrub, maori heads and tussocks, which today is one of the most beautiful homes on the Maniototo Plains. The deceased was of a very genial and kindly disposition. In her home she was most hospitable, and where there was sickness or trouble was always the first neighbor to offer her sympathy and services which were always of a practical nature. Her many good qualities made her highly respected. The deceased was a fervent Catholic, and passed away fortified by the last rites of Holy Church. The funeral, which was attended by a large number of friends, left St. John's Church on Monday for the Ranfurly cemetery, Rev. Father McMullan officiating at the interment. Very sincere sympathy is extended to the husband (Mr. John Kearney) and members of the family, including Mrs. Laloli (Roxburgh), Mrs. McKay (Gisborne), the Misses Dolly and Vera Kearney, and Mr. Hugh Kearney (Ranfurly), who are left to mourn their loss.R.I.P.

Irish Society, Dunedin The monthly meeting of the Irish Society was held on last Thursday evening, and was largely attended. Mr. J. Robinson, in a forceful and interesting lecture, dwelt on the history of the Irish people for the last seven hundred years. During all that time, he said, numerous efforts had been made to bring about an understanding, but all attempts had been futile and vain because the will of the great majority of the people was either completely ignored or looked upon as a -last unimportant consideration. The Irish did not want concessions or favors of any kind; they wanted their country, and they meant to have it. In moving a vote of thanks to Mr. Robinson, the president (Mr. Edmund Nolan) said he felt sure they had all enjoyed what the lecturer had so ably spoken. The Irish leaders of to-day were the guardians of a trust which had been handed down to them from the days of Thomas Davis, John Mitchel, and Robert Emmet. The Irish people loved above all others the man who fought and died for his country. The vote of thanks to Mr. Robinson was carried by hearty acclamation. The musical part of the programme was contributed to by the following, who were warmly applauded Misses Carter, Green, Keligher, Kilcarey, Spillane, Mrs. Sandys, Messrs. Rodgers and Hughes (songs), Mrs. and Miss Coughlan (duet), Miss McGrath and Master Coughlan (recitations), and Miss Nees (Irish jig). The accompaniments were played by Mrs. Murdoch, Misses Hughes, Meade, and Sandys.

Miss Victorine Ruscoe, a pupil of the convent, St. John's Hill, was successful in passing her Terms in the recent examination "at Victoria College (writes our Wanganui correspondent). The subjects) taken wejre Advanced :_,Latin. 1 (second year). Advanced French (second \ year), and History. Miss Rifecoe will continue her studies at the convent fors another year, and is working in-the direction of her 8.A,, - r ,?v* * J :: " :.