Obtiuary

New Zealand Tablet, Volume L, Issue 37, 20 September 1923, Page 45

Obtiuary

MRS. BRIDGET DELIA BUTLER, MEDBURY. ,There passed away on Tuesday, August 7, at her residence, “Hillsview,” Medbury, a well known and highly respected resident of North Canterbury, in the person of Mrs. .Bridget Delia Butler, wife of Mr. Patrick Butler (writes a correspondent). The deceased appeared to be in her usual good health' on the morning, but passed away quite suddenly. The late Mrs. Butler was born at Curaheen, Tralee, Co. Kerry, Ireland, in 1871, and later came to New Zealand to join her two sisters (the late Sister Mary Angela, of the Dominican Order, and the late Mrs. Mary McAloon), Mrs. Daniel Enright O’Connor, of Cheviot, is another sister of deceased. She leaves her husband and a family of six to mourn the loss of a devoted wife and mother. The family received a large number of messages of sympathy and many floral tributes. Requiem Mass, which was largely attended, was celebrated at St. Raphael’s Church, Hawarden, on Friday, the 10th ult., by Rev. Father James Murphy. The funeral cortege, which was one of the largest seen in the district for many years, then left for the Horsley Downs Cemetery. Father Murphy officiated at the interment.—

MRS. HONORA WHELAN, WELLINGTON. The death occurred at the Alhambra Hotel, in Wellington, on Saturday evening (says the New Zealand Times for September 10), of Mrs. Honora Whelan, a well-known resident, and one of the rapidly diminishing band of West Coast pioneers. For the past twenty years Mrs. Whelan had resided in Wellington, where she was well known to many throughout the Dominion as the . hostess of several hostelries. Mrs. Whelan was born in Co. Cork, Ireland, 75 years ago, and came to the" young Colony as a girl, settling on the West Coast, where she married her late husband, Mr. John Whelan, formerly a well-known Westland contractor, who was prominent in the promotion of reading facilities on the coast in its earliest days. The deceased lady survived her husband by many years, and later came to Wellington, where she was renowned for her charitable disposition, and efforts on behalf of any deserving cause. Throughout her life, Mrs. Whelan was a keen politician and was always well versed in matters of moment of the day. During her residence on the Coast in the early digger days, Mrs. Whelan made the acquaintance of the late Right Hon. R. J. Seddon, and throughout his career was a firm friend and keen supporter of the statesman. The deceased was a settler of over 50 years’ residence in the Dominion, and is survived by the following family: Mrs. W. Redmond, of Lower Hutt; Mrs. D. J. Malone, of Stratford; M#s. V. Waters, of Wellington; and the Misses Whelan (four), also of Wellington, and Messrs. Thomas and Con Whelan. Another son, the late Mr. Charles Whelan, (predeceased his mother some 5 ears ago. The late Mrs. Whelan was a prominent member of the congregation of St. Mary of the Angels’, and at the various Masses yesterday reference was' made to her death by the clergy, who referred to her as a “very generous benefactor” of the parish. A Requiem Mass for the repose of her soul was celebrated on Tuesday morning at nine o’clock, and the funeral later left the church of St. Mary of the Angels’ for the Karori Cemeteryß, I.R. MR. EDWARD MULVIHILL, KUMAR A. With the deepest -regret (writes a correspondent) I record the death of Mr. Edward Mulvihill, of the Courthouse Hotel, Kumara, which occurred at the Hokitika Hospital on the 4th inst. One of our staunchest and smeerest Catholic parishioners, the, late Mr. Mulvihill was born at Hokitika 52 years ago, of good old Irish stock who braved the hardships and (privations of the early days of the coast life on the goldfields. Within the past few weeks the genial “Ted” 'was among us bright and cheerful, and his sudden demise came as a shock' not only to the local community but throughout New Zealand, as he was very widely known: He possessed a nobility of character which endeared hl “ to young and old, and it would be difficult to find in life’s long march a man of so kind and generous a nature. ; Taking the keenest interest in all

kinds of sport he was an enthusiast in the "Rugger" code, and assisting his town club in every way, he was instrumental in getting the youths of the district to don the jersey and keeping them interested in the game. As a member of the Racing Club he held the position of deputy judge. He had given his services in the Fire Brigade for 35 years, and, besides being awarded the 25 years' service medal his athletic qualities enabled him to win medals for fast time put up when in the brigade. The late Mr. Mulvihill was an ardent worker in the interests of the Church. The remains were conveyed on the Fire Brigade's carriage, drawn by members, to St.' Patrick's Church, on the 7th inst., where Requiem Mass was celebrated at 9 a.m. for the repose of the soul of deceased, by Rev. Father Burger, of St. Bede's College, Christchurch, many of those present remaining in the church until 10.30, when the coffin was conveyed by motor to Hokitika, for interment in the cemetery there where rest the remains of deceased's father and two other members of the family. The cortege was an exceptionally large one, nearly the whole of the townspeople turning out to pay their tribute of respect to the memory of one who was so exceedingly popular with all. The firebell was tolled as the' cortege passed along the main streets, led by members of the various associations with which the deceased had been connected. The late Mr. Mulvihill was a member of the Catholic band in Kumara for many years. Rev. Father Burger, assisted by Rev. Father Finnerty (Hokitika), officiated at the graveside. Deceased's aged mother and a sister are left to mourn their loss. —R.I.P.