OLD RESIDENTS PASS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20055, 29 September 1939, Page 6

OLD RESIDENTS PASS

LATE MRS. J. F. A. HANSEN GO YEARS IN GISBORNE PROMINENT IN WAR WORK The death occurred yesterday of an old resident of Gisborne, deeply respected and much loved by her many, friends, in the person of Mrs. Matilda Hansen, wife of Mr. J. F. A. Hansen. Rulene road, aged 75 years. Mrs. Hansen had been ill only a few days, but earlier indications of failing health had prepared the members of her extensive family connection for their bereavement.

Born in Omagh, County Tyrone, Ireland. Mrs. Hansen was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James McDonald, who came to New Zealand in 1874 and settled in the Waiuku district, where for long afterwards they were members of the farming community. Mrs. Hansen came to Gisborne CO years ago, and remained in this district during the remainder of her long life.

She was married here in 1881, and for many years was prominent in social work in the district. During the Great War she had four sons in the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, one, Elvin, being killed in action on Gallipoli, and another, Oswald, losing his life in France. Mrs. Hansen was most active in patriotic work during the war, and until her last illness retained a keen interest in the welfare of the returned soldiers and the dependants of the fallen.

The surviving members of her family are Mr. C, O. Hansen, Gisborne, Mr. F. 'Hansen, Tikokino, Hawke’s Bay, Mr. Lionel Hansen, Anaura Bay, Mr. R. Hansen, Hexton, Mr. H. L. Hansen, Whangara, Mr. Leo Hansen, U.S.A., and Mrs. T. Fraser, W.hangara, Mrs. G. J. Moore, Whatatutu, Mrs. F. O. Bruce, Whangara, and Mrs. T. Hansen, Whakatane. There are also 41 grand-child-ren and„five great-grandchildren. The funeral will take place at 10.30 a.m. to-morrow.