Dreaded London 'Season —Died

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 351, 4 February 1937, Page 7

Dreaded London 'Season —Died

LADY GOWER’S FEAR OF DISEASE WAS GROUNDLESS Haunted by the fear of the busy round of . another London season which she did not feel able to meet and by a dread of cancer,, J.ady' Gower, wife of Sir Robert Gowei, M-P. for Gilhry "Hti, England, ended her life. She was found gassed in her beautiful home, Sandown Court, Tunbridge Wells. The inquest was held in the diningroom at Sandown Court. Sir Robert sat 4jy the coroner. “We lived a completely harmonious life,” said Sir Robert. “On Monday ■night my wife and 1 had a chat about <i,ri cx-servieenien*’s function she had ■attended. “I am going to be quite, frank,” Sir Robert said. “She had a phobia that she was suffering from cancer.” The Coroner: You think there was no ground for it?—l do not think there was. “My wife said she dreaded another London season, and told me she did not jfeel fit enough for it. “She said, ‘I have my Girl Guid at Gillingham,’ and pointed out that that would be an extra strain. i suggested, that she should get someone from Gillingham to deputise for her, but she said ‘No. ’ “When she went to bed she said, “Good-night and God bless you.’ ” Lady* Gower’s maid told him in the morning that she could not make Lady Gower hear. He forced the dc >r of her room and found her inside. The gacstove was turnetik on. The Corbiier: Had she ever threatened to take her life?—Never. The previous Thursday I had motored with her from Gillingham and she was talking about cancer. She said: “Daddy, if 1 have cancer I will not go through with it.” I said: “Don’t be a fool; you've no more cancer than I have,’ she laughed. Verdict was suicide while of unsound mind.