Gisborne

New Zealand Tablet, 3 August 1911, Page 1489

Gisborne

Never before in .the history of St. Mary’s Church (says a local , paper) has such a sad experience been undergone as was the case when the remains of Mrs. D. Barry and Miss Kathleen, O’Connell lay in the sacred precincts, awaiting burial. A Solemn Requiem Mass for the repose of the souls of the departed was celebrated at 9 a.m., in the presence of a very large congregation, by the Rev. Father Lane. At the conclusion of the Mass Messrs. Vita Bros.’ orchestra played the Dead March in ‘ Saul ’ as the congregation left the sacred edifice. The funeral of Miss Kathleen O’Connell left the church at 1.30 p.m. The school children marched in procession in front of the hearse. The Children of Mary, of which the deceased was a member, attended the funeral in regalia, and sang the hymn ‘ Mary, Dearest Mother,’ very impressively at the graveside. The funeral procession was a very lengthy one, and the coffin was covered with many beautiful wreaths forwarded by the schoolmates and many friends of the deceased. The Rev. Father Lane conducted the burial service. On returning to St. Mary’s Church, the Rev. Father Lane conducted a portion of the burial service for Mrs. D. Barry. The body was then conveyed from the church to the hearse by the members of the Hibernian Society in regalia, the Dead March in ‘ Saul * being played meanwhile by Messrs. Vita Bros. The Hibernians marched in procession in front of the funeral cortege, which was an exceptionally lengthy one, and acted as bodyguard from the cemetery gates to the grave. A large number of leading town and country residents attended the funeral to show their last tribute of. respect to the deceased lady, who was highly respected in the district. lie funeral service was conducted in the presence of a large congregation of sorrowing friends by the Rev. Father Lane.— R.l.P.