DEATH AT 100

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21216, 12 September 1940, Page 8

DEATH AT 100

MRS MARY DILLON HAMILTON’S OLDEST RESIDENT EARLY YEARS IN AMERICA The death occurred to-day at her residence, 91 Nixon Street, Hamilton East, of Mrs Mary Dillon, in her 101st year. Mrs Dillon, who was Hamilton’s oldest resident, was born in County Mayo, Ireland, in 1839, and as a child lived through the terrible famine which swept that country. At the age of 10 Mrs Dillon went to America with her sister, and lived with her aunt in New York until she was 18. Then she returned to Ireland and was married. After a short time her father went out to Australia and she returned to America, arriving toward the end of the Civil War. In the meantime her father had come to New Zealand with the militia, and later Mrs Dillon made the hazardous journey out to the colony, being then 25. She settled at Pirongia, which was then known as Alexandria. Raids by bands of marauding Maoris were not unusual and panics often occurred. Mrs Dillon subsequently moved to Cambridge and later came to Hamilton, where she was a resident for 32 years. Up till her death Mrs Dillon enjoyed good health and took a remarkably keen interest in world affairs. Mr Dillon died 32 years ago and their son seven years ago. Mrs Dillon is survived by two daughters, Mrs Chainey and Miss Catherine Dillon, of Hamilton.