The Late Miss Isabel Ecclesfield, M.A.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 May 1930, Page 2

The Late Miss Isabel Ecclesfield, M.A.

AN APPRECIATION IN “WELLINGTON DOMINION. ’ ’

The passing of Aliss Ecclesfield, whose death occurred last week, marks another milestone in the history of the AVellington Girl’s College. Many of the old pupils of the College when Miss Hamilton was principal, and later under Aliss McLean. will remember Aiiss Ecclosfield’s sterling w or tii.

Aliss Ecclesfield was beam about 60 years ago in Hokitika in tlie days when the Coast was the scene of the gold rush. There her parents, pioneer spirits from A'orkshire and Scotland, had been attracted. Her father chartered the ’ first supply ship to cross the bar. These early days imbued her with tlie spirit of adventure, an influence which permeated her whole life. Her scholastic career be.gan in Hokitika and at the Christchurch Girl’s High School. She graduated Master of Arts at Canterbury College,, among her contemporaries being the late Miss Gibson, for manv years princinal of the Christchurch Girls’ High School. These two were among the earliest British women graduates. For some time she taught in. Auckland, and then at Wellington Girls’ Col logo for about 2 n years, until • forced by temporary ill-beqlth to I'etire from teaching. Since then she has lived at Paraparaumu, and (for the last twelve years) at Silverstream, Self-effaojn”, tolerant to another’s weakness almost to a fault, ever counsel for the defence, frail in body, but magnanimous in nature, she will ever be remembered for her fine gentility and large-hearted gentleness. Scholastically sound, the personification oi refined culture, while others craved for wider avenues, her wish was “to live in'a house by tlie side of tlie road, and ho a friend to man.” Her life was simple, her needs few. but she ever kept her mind alert and her reading: up to date, and had an ear peculiarly attuned to nature. She never criticised others unkindly, preferring, not to speak at all rather Ilian speak-'ill. To her sisters, the Misses Ecclesfield, of Lower Hutt, Airs Jeffreys, of Sydney; and to her brother 1 , Air Ecclesfield, of Christchurch, and hqr niece and adopted daughter, Esme North, sincere sympathy is felt, hilt grieL is tempered by the warm glow that her memory has left in the hearts of so many. > w. . :

If we know, aught of her creed it was this: — I would bo friend to all, the foe, the

friendless; $ I would, be' giving and forget the

- .' ’ gift; I wpu'ld bo humble for I know my

; . ' weakness; I would look up and 'laugh, and love, and. lift,

Peace to her memory! AVc love to thinjk of her as passing from death to that more complete consciousness that shb has the ’love and gratitude 6f those whq haye been proud to call her teacher and fri&ntl.