This rather grand plot is for several generations of the O’Brien family. It is constructed with brick piers each surmounted with an iron fleur-de-lis cross. The concrete balusters in the Italianate style. It is also has a lovely wrought iron gate.
The obelisk at the rear of the plot is for Timothy who was the first burial. He died at the age of 20. Timothy worked at the telephone exchange. One day in April 1893, he complained of a sick headache while at work and the following day took to his bed. Typhoid was diagnosed and he was moved to the hospital where he died ten days later. He was very much liked by everyone and his young lady colleagues made up several ‘handsome wreaths’ for placing on the coffin.
Timothy’s father John was the second interment in January 1897 (the obelisk says 1907). He was born in Scariff, Clare, Ireland in 1835. He married Mary Ryan in 1862 and they emigrated with their children to New Zealand in 1875 on the ship ‘Michel Angelo’. The family lived in Lorne Street and John worked as a labourer. He died at Wellington hospital from a ‘fatal illness’ aged 62.
John’s wife Mary lived until 1930. She was 88 years old at her death, which occurred at her daughter Mrs Kershaw’s house in Hataitai. Her obituary said she was ‘an old and respected resident of Wellington’. She had sixteen grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
‘A well known Wellington citizen died on Monday in the person of Thomas O’Brien, formerly master bootmaker and salesman. Mr O’Brien had been in poor health for some years and was 70 years old’. Thomas was the second son of John and Mary O’Brien. He died on 1 September 1941 at his residence in Manly Terrace. A requiem mass was held at St Anne’s Church, Green Street, Newtown before the funeral party departed for the cemetery. His widow Kathleen died just a few months later on 2 December at Manly Terrace, aged 78. Margaret’s requiem mass was celebrated at 6:30am on 3rd December.
Several of their infant children were buried in this plot also.
Plot: *ROM CATH/#/58
1893 Timothy O’Brien aged 20
1897 John O’Brien aged 62
1898 Thomas B O’Brien
1900 Baby O’Brien
1922 Thomas O’Brien aged 2
1930 Mary O’Brien aged 88
1941 Thomas O’Brien aged 70
1941 Margaret O’Brien aged 78
1977 Benjamin Roy O’Brien aged 75
1978 Margaret Kathleen O’Brien aged 71
By Julia Kennedy
