Obituary

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 21, 26 January 1937, Page 11

Obituary

MRS. W. H. HENSON (Contributed). In the midst of life we aro in death and the curtain which veils the unseen world is as thin and fragile as gossamer, yet it is as deuse as midnight to mortal eyes. In this uncertain world it is permitted that some may reach the full alotted span of years while to others the call comes in youtn or middle age. To some are vouchsafed a warning of the approaching end, others are cut off at a moment’s notice and none can tell the day or the hour when they will pass beyond the mysterious veil of darkness to the scriptual light of the unseen world. Wo it has been ordained by an all-wise providence which shapes our destinies, and all must bow to the inevitable decree without question irrespective of what the severance of earthly ties may mean to those who remain to mourn. This great truth could not have been more clearly demonstrated than in the tragic suddenness with which Mabel, the wife of Mr Wilfred Henson, of Waitohi, Sandon, received her call last Thursday morning, when in the full vigour of health and wonted cheerfulness. Within one short hour all was over; no warning, no suffering, and no words of farewell; just her summons to pass on and join the great majority. This unexpected occurrence has created another unfortunate break in the family circles of a number of the pioneer homes of the district, and widespread grief among the community where they have always been so highly respected as worthy citizens. Mrs Henson was the youngest daughter of the late Mr and Mrs William Penny and was born fiftyfour years ago within a stone’s throw of the residence in which she died. The outstanding traits of her life and character are well expressed in the opening sentence of one of the many letters of condolence received by the stricken husband and family. It read. "Mrs Henson was so loved by everybody—she was one of God’s saints—and her family can truly call her blessed. All who had the privilege of knowing her will retain beautiful memories of her charm of personality and of her kindness and sincerity. She had the rare gift of making one feel the happier for having met her.” .... That these sentiments were a true reflection of universal regard and esteem was strikingly endorsed by the exceptionally large number of relatives and friends who assembled on Saturday afternoon to pay their last tributes of respect to the memory of on© who had faithfully fulllilled her obligations and had won their affection. The mute eloquence, of the profusion of floral tributes, together with the sheaves of letters and telegrams of sympathy all combined to show a significant recogni- ! tion of the worth of a friend and a fellow feeling with those in bereavement. Among the ninety wreaths may be mentioned those from the Sandon Old Boys’ Association, Waitohi school committee, Sandon Football Club, Sports Club, Rifle Club, Feilding A. and P. Association, Sandon Park Board and the Te Kawau Football Sub-Union. Of the immediate relatives who survive to mourn their loss are Mr Henson, two sons, Hamilton and Keith, and Miss Ngaire; four sisters, the Misses Nellie, Amy and Ethel Penny, of Sandon, also Mrs W. J. Croucher, Palmerston North; and Mrs Henson, of Mount Stewart, mother-in-law, and her family to all of whom our sympathy is extended. The casket was conveyed to its last resting place by three groups of six bearers representative of the relatives, Old Boys’ Association, and the Football Clubs; while the funeral rites were impressively conducted at St. Thomas’ Church and at the graveside by the Rev. B. R. White, of Bulls.