Mary Sullivan, 1841(?)-19/1/1883.

 It is this morning our melancholy duty to have to record the death on Friday last of Mrs Sullivan, of the Railway Hotel, at the premature age of 42, after a very short illness. The deceased lady was held in the highest esteem by a large circle of acquaintances, and this was evinced by the number who attended her funeral on Sunday last, many being present from a great distance. She was distinguished for her charitable disposition, and many will miss her now that she is gone. Mr H. Kingsland, of Invercargill, conducted the obsequies in his usual skilful manner. The Rev. Father Fitzgerald had arranged to visit Riversdale for Mass on Sunday but kindly remained for the purpose of performing the necessary funeral rites. The evening service in the Church of England was of a special character in respect to the deceased, although she was not of that denomination and the Dead March in Saul was played by Mr Bree. 

On Sunday last before Father Fitzgerald commenced Mass in Watson's Hall, the rev. gentleman, alluding to the decease of Mrs Sullivan, spoke as follows: "We have met here to-day under unusual circumstances. One has been taken from our midst and gone to her eternal bourne. May God grant her peace! However, as it is, with a mingling of hope and disquietude, we look beyond the grave. It may be that her soul is detained for a time in the cleansing fires of purgatory. If such should be the case, Holy Faith assures us, dear brethren, that we can assist the suffering souls, and that we can shorten by our prayers to Almighty God, the detention of a soul in purgatory. Under this assurance we ask the intercession of your prayers; during this Mass for the eternal rest of Mary Sullivan, whose remains we shall follow in a few hours to the grave, where we trust the rubrics of religion will breathe the final expression of respect due to the departed." Father Fitzgerald held two services on Sunday, one a Requiem and the other at 11 a.m. The large attendance at both services only tends to prove how much a Catholic priest was required in the district and how much he is already appreciated. -Mataura Ensign, 23/1/1883.

Gore Cemetery.