OBITUARY.

Shannon News, 31 August 1926, Page 2

OBITUARY.

MRS MARY ANN SPEIES: The death occurred oil Friday at her late residence, Robinson street, Foxton, of Mrs Mary Ann Speirs, wife of Mr A. Speirs, at the age of 70 years. The deceased lady was born in the Lower Valley, Wairarapa, in 1856, and was the eldest daughter of the late Mr and Mrs James McMaster, pioneer settlers of the lower Wairarapa. Mrs Speirs’ father came out from Scotland to' join his brother, the late Mr Angus McMaster, one of the best known early settlers of the Wairarapa. The late Mrs Speirs was married in 1878 in St. John’s Church, Wellington, by the late Rev. James Patterson,, who recently passed away. Eleven years later Mr and Mrs Speirs took up their residence in Foxton, where they have since 'resided. Deceased leaves a husband and six sons and two daughters. ■ The sons are Messrs Alex. Speirs, junr. (Russell Street, Foxton), Robert Speirs (Robinson Street, Foxton), John iSpeirs (Poroutawhao, Foxton) and Claude, Richard and William Speirs (Shah- ' non). The daughters are Misses Annie and Bessie Speirs (Robinson St., Foxton). Tile funeral took place at Foxton on Sunday, the service .being conducted by Rev. J. H. Bredin, of Palmerston North, a personal friend of the deceased lady. The late Mrs Speirs was beloved for her kindly and sympathetic nature. She was essentially one who believed in the old adage of not letting the left hand know what' the right 'hand is doing. In cases of sickness and distress she proved to many a Mend in need and withall possessed that splendid spirit which characterised the pioneers.