OBITUARY.

Shannon News, 11 April 1928, Page 3

OBITUARY.

MRS MARY ANN BOWEN. An old and highly respected resident of Levin, and one of the gradually disappearing band of pioneers of New Zealand, passed away on Friday, at her residence, Karaka Lodge, Queen Street, in the perron of Mrs Mary Ann Bowen, aged 79 years*. The late Mrs Bowen arrived in New Zealand in the ship Mary Ann 69 years ago with her parents, Mr and Mrs Cook, landing at the Thames, and set'tling later in New Plymouth. Through all the Maori war the deceased was looking after mother, who was in delicate health, but who, with her husband, who fought in the war and was promoted to Captain, saw all the stining events in the early history of Taranaki and on more than one occasion was taken safely from Bell Block to New Plymouth with a guard of soldiers. Losing her husband, Mr J. R. Bowen, of New Plymouth, at the early age of . 37, she was left with a family of young children, and courageously undertook the management of the business then just established in New Plymouth. About 33 years ago, when Levin was in- its infancy, Mrs Bowen took over Mrs Kent’s business, then known as the Post Office Store, and she had resided here practically ever since. She led a very active life until about five years ago, when, after an accident, she developed bronchitis With the result that she was an almost complete invalid for the remainder of her life. The deceased is survived by one son, Mr Lewis Alfred Bowen, who is in business in Waipukurau; and three daughters —Mrs Joy4:e, of Omata, Taranaki, Mrs Worth of New Plymouth, and Miss Bowen, of Levin. Pour members of the family have passed away, these comprising two children who died in infancy, and Mr. James Warren Bowen and Mrs T. A. B. Hudson, both of whom resided. in Levin. ‘

The funeral of the late Mrs Mary Ann Bowen took place on Sunday afternoon, rvhen, despite the wet weathr er, a large and representative number of people formed the cortege to the Levin Cemetery and numerous old settlers paid their last respects-to a fellow pioneer. Previously a service was conducted by the Rev. J. C. Davies at the (leceased lady’s residence, Karaka Lodge. Many beautiful wreaths. were received, besides messages of sympathy with the bereaved family/ The service at the graveside was carried out by the Rev. J. D. McArthur, and the pall-bearers were Allan Prouse, Cyril Bartholomew, Clifford Adkin, W. Whittaker, IT. Denton, and T. Brown.

MR B. W. GILLESPIE. The death occurred at the Palmerston. North Hospital on Friday, under circumstances of more than ■ ordinary sadness, of Mr Bruce Wallaoe Gillespie, of the railway staff at Raurimu, and formerly of Woodville, who was married to Flora Evelyn, the ypuhgest daughter of Mr S. A, Broadbelt, ot Ihaknra. The deceased who Was only 24 years of age, had been suffering for some time from goitre, which became complicated as the result of an accident; and he entered the Palmerston Hospital shortly after Christmas. The deceased was married in July, and leaves, besides his widow, an infant daughter.

Much sympathy was shown for the relatives of the late Mr B. W. Gillespie, son-in-law of Mr S. A. Broadbelt, of. Ihakara, when the funeral took place on Sunday afternoon, a lengthy cortege making its way to the Levin Cemetery. Many handsome floral tokens accompanied the casket to its last resting place, and condolences were received from sources near and far. RevJ. D. McArthur conducted the burial service. The pall-bearers were Messrs N. and H. Robbie, K. Broadbelt, G. Gardner, P. Eades and E. Harding. MRS AMELIA SUTHERLAND. Much regret will be felt on account of the death of Mrs Amelia Sutherland, which occurred on Friday at her residence, 24 Abbott Street, Ngaio. The deceased lady, who was in her 72nd vear, was well-known in this district, having spent many years here, residing at the Settlement. The late Mrs Sutherland was born at Motueka, Nelson, and was married about 48 years ago. With her husband. Mr Daniel Sutherland, she came to Levin in 1910, and after a residence of some eight years in .this district they moved. to Ngaio. The deceased was formerly a Miss Adkin, aind was the last of a well-known family of that name, her brothers and sisters having pre-deceased her. Her son Alex died at Feilding a little over two years ago, but she is survived by one son, Mr Morris Sutherland, of Levin, and four daughters—-Mrs Dickson (Christchurch), Mre W. Watkins (Weraroa); Mrs W. Heard (Wellington) and Miss Mabel Sutherland (Ngaio).