OBITUARY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 57, Issue 252, 5 August 1937, Page 6

OBITUARY.

MOTHER MARY ST. WINIFRIDE. The death occurred recently at the Convent of the Sisters of Notre Dame des Missions, Ferry Road, Christchurch, of Mother Mary St. Winifride (Moran), in her 88th year, and the 60th year of her religious life. She was born in County Mayo, Ireland, and came to New Zealand while still young. She joined the Institute of the Sisters of Notre Dame des Missions in December, 1877, and for 60 years worked indefatigably for her order. She spent several years caring for the children in the orphanage at Nelson, and later on worked with the native girls at the Maori Providence, Napier. She also taught in the Sisters’ schools at Kaikoura, Napier, Nelson, New Plymouth and at Ashburton. At Ashburton, Mother Mary St. Winifride spent the greater part of her religious life. In several of the convents she was superioress over a long course of years, proving herself possessed of exceptional administrative ability, and at every convent developing to a remarkable degree the spiritual and religious life of those under her care and her success in developing a strong, steady character in her pupils was outstanding. Some years ago Mother Mary St. Winifride was called to the Christchurch Convent to fulfil the office of provincial councillor and in this capacity her wisdom and wide experience proved an invaluable help to her superiors, and strong unfaltering faith and enlightened religious spirit edified all who were near her. The Requiem Mass was celebrated in the Convent chapel, his Lordship Bishop Brodie officiating with the Very Rev. Dean O’Donnell (Ashburton) assistant priest. MR ADAM CHALMERS. One of Canterbury’s early settlers and a resident of Rangitata for 60 years, Mr Adam Chalmers, died aged 82, at the home of his son, Mr James Chalmers, Temuka. it Mr Chalmers, who was born at Peterhead, Scotland, in 1855, came to New Zealand as a child of four with his parents, and spent the early years of his life at Lyttelton and around the bays. When he arrived at Rangitata as a young man he acquired a small property, to which in later years ho added until he finally owned two considerable farms known as Melrose and Rusdale. In his younger days Mr Chalmers, took a keen and active interest in the welfare of his district, being the first chairman of the Rangitata. School Committee. Since his retirement five years ago he had lived in Temuka. His wife died six years ago and he is survived by a family of six—Messrs Adam Chalmers (Lyttelton), James Chalmers (Temuka), George Chalmers (Rusdale, Rangitata) and William Chalmers (Tirnaru), and Mesdames John Cook (Ashburton) and J. C. Kelland (Orton). There are 12 grandchildren and fiva. great-grandchild ren.