Obituary

New Zealand Tablet, Volume L, Issue 22, 7 June 1923, Page 15

Obituary

MRS. BRIDGET McLAUGHLAN, TIMARU. The death occurred at her residence. North Street, 1 imam, on the loth ult., of Mrs. Bridget McLaughlan (writes a correspondent). The late Mrs. McLaughlan was born in Co. Tipperary, Ireland, and came to New Zealand some 60 years ago, landing at the Bluff. After her marriage she resided for a time at Winton, then at Dipton and Edendale, and latterly .at Timaru. By her kindly and charitable disposition she made numerous friends in all the places in which she had lived. An exemplary Catholic mother, she had Special devotion to the holy Rosary; and attendance at Holy Mass was most conscientiously observed by her. In failing health during the past four years her illness became acute during the past twelve months. Her greatest desire during her declining days was to be given sufficient strength to attend Mass, and the privilege of being able to attend Mass on Christmas Day and on Palm Sunday was granted her. She was attended during her final illness by Rev. Father Barra, and died fortified by all the rites of Holy Church. Requiem Mass for the repose of her soul was celebrated in the Church of the Sacred Heart, by b lither Barra, who also officiated at the interment in the Timaru Cemetery. The late Mrs. McLaughlan’s husband predeceased her some eight months ago. A family of six sons mourn their loss. —R.I.P. MRS. ELLEN BOURKE, HAMILTON. The death is announced of Mrs. Ellen Bourke, wife of Mr. John Bourke, of Hamilton, Waikato. The late Mrs. Bourke (writes a correspondent) was born in Downpatrick, Ireland, 64 years ago. She arrived in Auckland in 1874, and shortly afterwards came to Hamilton. In 1883 she was married in old St. Mary's Church, Hamilton, to Mr. John Bouike, of the Thames. God blessed the marriage with eight daughters, three of whom gave their life to God in religion, becoming teachers in the Order of Our Lady -of the Missions, Christchurch. Six of the eight children survive their late mother. The deceased was descended from the best of Irish stock, and was a niece of the late Father Hugh O’Neill (parish priest of Kilcoo, Go. Down), a true Irish patriot and a man of most saintly memory. Refinement and solid piety were two of the outstanding gifts of the deceased, and these two characteristics she has 'handed on to her children. Viewed in the light of present happenings, the sacrifices the late Mrs. Bourke made for religion seems almost incredible, and only a soul of the strongest faith would have made them. Her husband and children who are left to mourn their loss must needs be comforted by the knowledge that God who rewards the cup of cold water given in His name will reward a bundled fold, a life of faith such as was led by the deceased. In her last days on earth she was comforted by all the rites of Holy Church, and by the frequent visits of the priests and nuns, and even by a visit of his Lordship Bishop Liston, who happened to pass through Hamilton at the time.—R.l.P.