MRS W. B. PARKER.

Marlborough Express, Volume LVI, Issue 140, 21 June 1922, Page 4

MRS W. B. PARKER.

The death oceurred- last night at tlie Wairau Hospital, of Mrs Emily Parker, reliet of the late Mr W. B. Parker j. a prominent- settler and business man of Alarlborough, whoso death occurred 11 vears ago. Mrs Parker was bom in Nelson in 1852, and would have completed li,er 70th year in a few days. She was a daughter of the * late Mr Isaac Gifford, the well-known pioneer settler, and her m other diecl at the hegin-nmg of last year at the age of 96 years. Mrs Parker came to the Wairau with her patents in her girlhood days, and had fcsided in Blenheim ever since lier piarriage fifty vears ago. A womaii of am iable nature ancl charitable dispos'ition, her sterling qnalities attracted a very high measure oi esteem in the community. She was a' cbnsisfent mcrnher of the Methodist Ghurch throughout her life, and associated herself aetively with the social life of the church. She was predeeeasecl by her sisters, JMrs Jphn Rose and Mrs Litchfield ; and the late Mr Albert Gifford was her brotlier. Two surviving brothers are Messrs Wm. Gifford, of Rapaura, and Thomas Gifford, of Feilding: ancl sisters are Mesdamcs S. Gane,.T. Pike- and W. D. Pike, all resident-s of Blenheim. Mrs Parker leaves ffve sons — Messrs E. S. Parker, Mayor of Blenheim ; C. W. Parkei* merchant, of Blenheim; F. A. Parker, farmer, Blenheim ; N. G. Parker, of Blenheim ; and F. W. Parker, of Clarence Bridge. The last-named son served contihuously throughout the war, rising to the rank bf colonel. The late 51 rs Parker led an active life and was -never seriously incapaeitated until reeently, when an attack of appendicitis necessitated hcr removnl to thc hospital. whero she' undorwcnt three operations.