Passing Of Mrs. O'Rourke

Chronicle (Levin), 1 September 1949, Page 2

Passing Of Mrs. O'Rourke

Widespread regret was felt throughout many parts of the North Island when the news of the sudden passing of Mrs. Kathleen O'Rourke, which took place at her home, "Wai-iti," Otaki Railway, on Friday last, became known. The deceased lady had enjoyed her usual excellent health until within a few hours prior to her death, and her immediate relatives have received countless messages of sympatjay in their sad bereavement. After spending her early years in Ashhurst, where her pioneering parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Macdonald, were widely known, Mrs. O'Rourke came to reside in Otaki after her marriage to Mr. S. Thomas . O'Rourke following the latter's return from service in the 1914-18 war. Her ■ many p,utstanding qualities quickly won ior her lasting friendships, and the exceedingly large funeral cortege on Sunday last was a fitting tribute to the high esteem in which the deceased lady was held, friends and mourners being in attendance from Waipawa, New Plymouth, Wanganui, and from many other parts of the island. Impressive funeral services were conducted at St. Mary's Catholic Church and at the graveside by Rev. Father J. McGrath, assisted by Rev. Father A. Venning, Monsigneur MacManus, and Father Minett, ahd many heautiful fioral •tributes were placed on the casket. Mrs. O'Rourke took a very active interest in most aflairs promoted for the welfare of the community, being particularly interested in hunting and general sporiing activities. The perfect hostess, her spacious home and ideally situated grounds were the venue of many a happy garden party 1 and spo-rting fete, and her passing leaves a gap that will be hard to fill. Members of the Manawatu Hunt Club, members of the Otaki and District Horse Sports, and relatives acted as pallbearers. Besides her husband and adult I family of three — Mrs. John Galloway, Miss Anne O'Rourke and Mr. Timothy O'Rourke, of Otaki— one sister, Miss A. Macdonald, and two brothers, Messrs Dick and Jack Macdonald, all of Ashhurst, are left to mourn their loss.