Obituary

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XLIX, Issue 50, 28 December 1922, Page 30

Obituary

MOTHER MARY OF THE HOLY APOSTLES.

(Sister of the Institute of Notre Dame des Missions.)

The Sisters of the Institute of Notre Dame des Missions suffered the loss of another member of their Order in the death of Mother Mary of the Holy Apostles,, who died at Opotiki, on Sunday, the 7th ult. The deceased Sister had. been in failing health for many years, but was of an energetic and cheerful disposition, and in her last illness edified all by her piety, and courage and the fortitude with which she bore her terrible sufferings. Mother Mary of the Holy Apostles had been for many years in Christchurch, Ashburton, and Napier, and was one of the band of pioneer Sisters who established the convent at Leeston. She was attended in her illness by . Rev. Father Smiers and Very Rev. Father Whelan, C.SS.R. The funeral cortege was one of the largest ever seen in the district. —R.I.P.

AIRS JULIA FAHEY, EVAN’S FLAT. ,

■ With very sincere regret the death is recorded of Mrs. Julia Fajiey, wife of Mr. Michael Fahey, of Evan’s Flat Central Otago, which occurred unexpectedly on the vigil of All Saints’ Day (October 31). The deceased, who had only attained the age of 38 years, was loved and highly respected by all who knew her. She was a, fervent, practical Catholic, and an-exemplary wife and mother. The funeral was very largely attended, every section of the community over a wide district being . represented, thus showing the esteem in which the deceased was held, and the sympathy felt for the bereaved husband and family of six children, the oldest , boy being but, 12 years of age.R.I.P. /

MRS. CATHERINE ROBINSON, OTAKI.

The funeral of the late Mrs. Catherine Robinson, who passed away recently at Otaki, was largely attended. The deceased had been connected with the oldest established business in Otaki, and was widely known. Her only surviving son is Mr. John W. Robinson, her second son (Edward M. Robinson) died during the influenza epidemic in 1918. Prior to the interment Requiem Mass was celebrated for the repose of the soul of deceased by Rev. Father Melu, S.M. — '

MR. THOMAS HENLEY, PAHIATUA.

With sincere regret the death is recorded of Mr. Thomas Henley, who passed away at his residence, Arthur Street, Pahiatua. The deceased was born in Headford, Co. Galway, Ireland. He came to New Zealand 42 years ago. with his parents, and lived at, Leeston, Palmerston North, and for the last 18 years at Pahiatua. The late Mr. Henley was a staunch Irishman and an exemplary Catholic, and his assistance was always forthcoming in any good cause. Deceased leaves a wife, but no children, also two brothers and one sister (Sister Mary Colomba, of the Sisters of Mercy, Blenheim), who have the' sympathy of many friends in their bereavement. The interment took place at Palmerston North. Rev, Father Saunderson, of Pahiatua, officiating at the graveside.;

MRS. MAURICE SPILLANE, TUAPEKA FLAT.

By the death of Mrs. Maurice Spillane, which occurred at her residence, Tupeka Flat, . on the 3rd inst., after a long illness, there passed away a very old and highly esteethed resident of the Tuapeka district, where she had lived for nearly 58 years. The deceased, who had reached the ripe ago of 81 years, was a native of Thomas Town, Kilkenny, Ireland, and as a young woman emigrated: to Melbourne, where she stayed for a short time. Coming to Dunedin, where she was shortly afterwards married, she remained , for a few months and then removed with her husband to Lawrence, v where she settled and remained till her death. She was an ideal type of the pioneer’s wife, cheerfully bearing her share of the vicissitudes incidental to the life of the early settlers, - and by her kindly and happy disposition endeared herself not only to her neighbors but to all who had the pleasure of coming into contact with her. Of her large family of nine children only three survived her— William Spillane (Kononi), Mrs. Stewart (Dunedin), and Miss Maria Spillane (Lawrence)— to these and her aged husband the sincere sympathy of the residents of thfe district was unmistakably shown by the exceptionally large cortege which followed her,

remains to their last resting place on Sunday afternoon, the 4th inst.—R.l.P,

MR. EDMOND PRENDERGAST, CHRISTCHURCH.

With deep regret (writes our Invercargill correspondent) the many friends in Southland, of Air Edmond Prendergast heard of his unexpected death, which occurred on the 14th ult., at Christchurch. \ The deceased was a sterling'lrishman and fervent Catholic. For many years the late Mr. Prendergast carried on farming operations at Bayswater, in the Otautau district, and he was one of the most respected settlers in those parts. He retired from farming some four years ago. Sincere sympathy :is extended ; to his two sons and three daughters who are left to mourn their loss. A large number paid their last respects to the deceased by attending the funeral which took place at Invercargill, Very Rev. Deal?. Burke, Y.F., officiated a,t the graveside.—R.l.P. __

MR. JAMES DEMPSEY, WANGANUI. There passed way recently ‘in the person of Mr. James Dempsey, one who, throughout a long life “bote without abuse the grand old name of . gentleman”: (says the' Wanganui Chronicle), and wo are quite sure the news of his death will be received with very sincere regret by people in every part of the country. The late Mr. Dempsey, who was in his 83rd year, was born in Queen’s Co., Ireland, and came to New Zealand 62. years ago. He began farming in the Hawke’s Bay district, where the new conditions proved very baffling for a while. However, Mr. Dempsey had a stout heart, and to him difficulties were made only to be overcome. After 15 years ho came to the Wanganui district, and, with the assistance of his good wife, literally carved a home out of the; bush. Mr. Dempsey’s reminiscences of those early days made a most interesting story. Prom his home on the No. 3 Line, Mr. Dempsey came into Wanganui, settling oh the.well-known property, now closely ■ settled, between the town and Castlecliff. When the estate

was cut up, Mr. Dempsey took up his residence in Mosstown, and there, despite the loss of his sight during the past eiglft years, he extended a cheery welcome to visitors. Apart from his personal charm, and an over-whelming desire to help everybody with-whom he came in contact, the late Mr. Dempsey earned high esteem by his interest in public affairs. He was a Justice of the Peace, and for many , years was associated with the Waitotara County Council and the Hospital Board. He was a life member of the Caledonian Society and Agricultural Association. He was also a member of the Old Veterans’ Association, having played his part in the defence of the country during the" Maori war. The deceased was a . prominent member of' St, Mary’s Catholic Church, his devotion being of a very practical kind. The late Mr. Dempsey, who celebrated his golden wedding two years ago, is survived by Mrs. Dempsey,,' one son, William, and two daughters, Mrs. C. D. Parker," of Gisborne, and Mrs. E. O’Meara, of Wanganui. The late Mrs. J. J. O’Shea, of New- Plymouth, ■was another daughter. To the bereaved ones sincere sympathy is extended.—

Patea

The Convent ‘ schools at Waverley and Patea were honored with ‘visits from his Excellency the Apostolic Delegate, while he was passing through to New Plymouth (writes an esteemed correspondent), and was presented at each, by the children, with an address of -welcome. Rev. Father Cahill assured his Excellency that the children, the Sisters,; and the parishioners, were second to none in the love of-their faith, and in loyalty to the Holy Father. The Apostolic Delegate said he was delighted with the reception they had prepared for him as the representative of the Holy Father, and he asked a holiday for the children. The elder members of the" congregation were also presented to Archbishop Oattaneo, and he imparted to them ' and to all the parishioners the Apostolic Benediction, ' His Grace Archbishop O’Shea made a visitation of the Patea parish on the- 4th inst. After the 11 o’clock Mass at Waverley he preached to a large congregation on the Graces of ' the Sacrament of Confirmation, which he ad- * ministered to 45 candidates. At Patea, at 2.30 in the afternoon, there was another large congregation, and his Grace administered the Sacrament of Confirmation to-61 children; Subsequently the Archbishop presided 'at ; a meeting of the church committee, when various subjects of parbchial\business was fully discussed.