OBITUARY

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 9, Issue 63, 15 April 1946, Page 4

OBITUARY

MRS I. M. PEARSON In the death recently of Mrs Ida Muriel Pearson, Whakatane has lost a widely respected and warmly regarded citizen. The late Mrs Pearson was responsible for many kindnesses and services which were seldom made known to the general public but to her friends they were the main reasons which endeared her to so many. Born 66 years ago at Akaroa, the late. Mrs Pearson was a daughter of the first white child born at Akaroa. After being educated at Christchurch and entering the drapery trade there she married the late Mr

John Pearson in 1908 and then travelled to/ Marton, where Mr Pearson joined the staff of Zajon Scowski, Sash and Door Factory. Coming north a few years later, Mr and Mrs Pearson purchased a farm at Lichfield, near Putaruru which they managed with success, finally disposing of the property and purchasing another in Whitford near Auckland. In 1915, they sold out again and operated a successful drapery business at Birkenhead, Auckland, for ten years. Pearson’s corner is still well known- in that suburb. In 1925, Mrs Pearson with her daughter (Mrs Lysaght) joined her, husband and son on another property which had been purchased at White Pine Bush, which they retained un-s til 1929, when they acquired several properties in Whakatane and decided to live a semi-retired life. During this period Mrs Pearson joined the staff of Messrs. John Patterson, Drapers, and acted in the capacity

of buyer for that firm for five years. Just prior to the last war, Mr and Mrs Pearson made a world tour, visiting England, the Continent, America and the East. Her talks and lectures on her various experiences on her return soon after war broke out will long be remembered by local residents. During the war, Mr Pearson joined the temporary Defence Staff and was engaged on construction work for some time in an engineering capacity. He was also a member of the Ambulance Unit in the local Home Guard.

Mrs Pearson suffered a severe shock in the death of her husband last year, and never completely recovered her health. Her death followed a long period of illness which she bore with typical courage and fortitude. She will be remembered as a woman with a particularly high sincerity of purpose and a genuinely Christian attitude towards life. She was an artist also of a high order and many of her paintings have earned the highest praise from art patrons who admired her warmth of colour and interpretation and powerful execution.

Mrs Pearson is survived by a son. and a daughter—Mr Harold Pearson, of Wellington, and Mrs F. W. Lysaght, of Whakatane. There are six grandchildren.