NURSE MARY PENNELL AND FAMILY OF PAEROA

THE DEATH OF NURSE MARY PENNELL

Click to enlarge the photo.

'OLD COLONIST'S DEATH. Born in Howick 73 years ago, Mrs Mary Pennell, who died recently from influenza, was one of the first European babies in that township. Deceased had resided for many years at Paeroa, and came to Auckland to nurse her son, who was attacked by the epidemic, with the result that she also caught the disease, which in her case caused death. Of her seven sons, four have been on active service.'

OBITUARY. NURSE PENNELL. THE MOTHER OF PAEROA. 'A GRAND OLD LADY'. THE END OF AN ACTIVE LIFE.
The sad news that Mrs M. (Nurse) Pennell had passed away at Auckland at Nine o'clock on Thursday morning was received in this town with profound regret. Learning that her son Harold (Puckey), who went to Auckland some three weeks ago, had contracted influenza, she left immediately to nurse him. While there she was stricken down and as a result of a relapse double pneumonia set in, and she passed away as above stated.
To say she was a 'grand old lady' is not giving her credit which is her due, but no words of our - or any other - pen could describe her sufficiently. The deceased lady was born at Howick on December 10 1845, and was amongst the first European women to be born there. She lived through and saw all the stirring times of the pioneers of the Dominion, and could relate many instances of early life in Auckland. When the Thames goldfields broke out she went with her husband to Thames, later removing to Waitawheta, and then to Paeroa, where the family has been settled ever since. She was familiarly called the Mother of Paeroa, and there were few homes, especially in the early days, for miles around that she did not visit. Wind or hail did not deter her from visiting the sick, whether or not there was any fee. She nursed the sick, and to her lasting credit walked miles if there was no conveyance to do her duty. She was one amongst thousands, and her open-heartedness and charity was felt by hundreds, often giving her last shilling to help along some poor unfortunate, and as the proverb says 'Did not let her left hand know what her right hand was doing.' Her work was never done, night and day she would go out with a smiling face to do something for humanity's sake, and never for one moment thought of herself. Her many kind actions will live in the memory of thousands of households for many years to come. It was her nature - she could not do an unkind action to anybody, and where there was sickness of any kind, it was to Nurse Pennell that the appeal went forth, and she never refused. She was the mother of one of the largest families on the goldfields and during the past war had no less than ten representatives at the front, all of whom have given a good account of themselves. Of her seven sons, four have seen active service, namely, Tom, Jim, George and Harold; her son-in-law, William Clarke who was killed in the battle of the Somme, and five grandsons, Willie Pennell, Monte Neil and Herbert, Frank and Tom Stonell. A record to be indeed proud of. The three sons remaining at home are Jack and Joe of Paeroa and Percy of Opotiki, who died of pneumonia on the 15th inst. The daughters now living are Mesdames Neil (Paeroa), Horspool (Auckland), Clarke (Paeroa) and Goldsworthy (Morrinsville). Two sons William and Nelson, and two daughters Mrs McConnell and Mrs Stonell predeceased her.
Naturally with so many of her own at the front, she took a very keen interest in the war, and it was her great joy when she learnt of the armistice and the thought that she would have around her once more those dear ones who had been spared. She was looking forward to the day when they would return, but God has willed it otherwise. All her brave lads have, however done their duty and done it well, and we hope to publish at some future date the doings of each.
We extend to her sorrowing husband and family our sincere sympathy in their sad affliction.
The remains were interred at the Waikaraka Cemetery, Auckland today.

DEATH. PENNELL. —On November 28, at Auckland, of double pneumonia, Mary (Nurse) Pennell, dearly be loved wife of John Pennell, Thames Road, Paeroa, aged 72 years. Rest in Peace.

Mr J. PENNELL, senr and Family of Thames Road, Paeroa, wish to express their sincere thanks to all kind friends who sympathised with them in the loss of their dear wife and mother; also their beloved son and brother, Percy: Also for telegrams, letters, cards and floral emblems received.

MARRIAGE: PENNELL-SKELTON: On April 1, 1918, at St Mary's Church, Paeroa by Rev. Father Dumphy, Percy the sixth son of Mr and Mrs J. Pennell, Thames Road, Paeroa to Grace, eldest daughter of Mr J. F. Skelton of Opotiki.

Mary's eldest son John Robert (Jack) Pennell also died of influenza on 23rd December 1918:

Ohinemuri Gazette 23 December 1918:

DEATH. PENNELL.-On December 23, at the Thames Hospital of pneumonia, John Robert, dearly beloved husband of Edith Pennell and dearly loved eldest son of John and the late Mary Pennell of Thames Road, Paeroa; aged 43 years. Rest in Peace. The funeral will leave from his father's residence, Thames Road, tomorrow (Tuesday) morning at eleven oclock for Paeroa Cemetery.'

Owing to a regrettable oversight the name of William Roy Pennell appeared in the 'Star' on the 6th inst. as having succumbed to the epidemc. It should have read William Roy Neil. Young Neil was a grandson of the late Mrs J. Pennell of Paeroa who succumbed to the malady a few days before in Auckland. Mrs Pennell had eleven represenatives (seven sons, three grandsons and one son-in-law) at the front, viz., George, Harold, James, Tom, Bert, Frank and Willie. The grandsons were Harry Stonehill, Tom Stonehill and Monte Neil: the son-in-law William Clarke was killed in action at the battle of the Somme. Another son, Percy was carried away by the epidemic at Opotiki a few weeks ago.'

The following show the high regard in which Mary was held.

'NURSE PENNELL MEMORIAL. Sir,—Would you please hand to Mr Charles Brunskill enclosed cheque for £5 I read his letter in your issue of the 23rd inst His eloquent tribute to the memory of the late Mary Pennell touched my heart and must have struck a responsive chord in the hearts of all who knew her in life. She was the most self-sacrificing woman I came in contact with during my 30 years' ministry in New Zealand. You, sir, paid a splendid tribute to her memory on the occasion of her sad death at Auckland. But; we must not allow the name of Mary Pennell to go the way of the perishable pulp of the linotype machine. We must keep it "green," as Mr Brunskill says, in the form of some fitting and lasting memorial.—l am, etc., MONSIGNOR HACKETT- Ellerslie May 27, 1919.'

'THE NURSE PENNELL MEMORIAL: In response to the public notification given by his Worship The Mayor (Mr P.E. Brenan) a meeting was held at the Coronation Chambers on Friday afternoon to discuss the matter of erecting a memorial to the late Nurse Pennell... The meeting had been called upon requests made to him as the Mayor to consider the question of a memorial to that 'Grand Old Lady', the late Nurse Mary Pennell, who as the majority knew lost her life whilst doing what she could for humanity during the epidemic, which swept through the country at the latter end of last year. The deceased lady who can be termed the Foster Mother of Paeroa, is better known amongst the older residents of our town, and the surrounding districts, and it is from amongst them the feeling is that it is but right and proper that some form of memorial should be erected to commemorate the memory of the late nurse. Mrs Pennell he could remember for the past 25 years, and older residents for upwards of 40 years, and he ventured to say that during the whole of that time no call for help ever came to Mrs Pennell that did not meet with prompt assistance. He remembered but a few years ago the deceased lady was asked to attend a lady taken suddenly ill on Christmas Day. The call reached the nurse whilst she was enjoying her Christmas dinner, and she immediately left her dinner to attend to the sick and suffering. That is only one of the many instances in the life of the late Mrs Pennell. The matter is now in our hands. He suggested a committee of say 15 be elected, also a secretary to get to work and obtain necessary funds to erect a memorial. The form the memorial would take should, he thought, he left to a later date, with a view to seeing what funds are available. The deceased lady was buried in Onehunga, and it is questionable whether her remains can be transferred. The memorial would, he thought, be better erected in the town where she had lived and laboured so well. He thought it would be advisable, seeing that Mrs Pennell's activities were not confined to Paeroa, to elect to the committee some living outside the town...
Mr Hanna said he thought the most suitable form of memorial would be to collect sufficient money to build a cottage hospital and to name one of the wards the 'Mary Pennell Ward'....
Dr Smith said that as one connected with the late nurse for 19 years, he would like to add his appreciation of the good work she had done. She was absolutely devoted to her duty, and he would suggest that an endeavour be made to get a cottage hospital and add her name in some way. He thought that this would be the most typical form of recognition. If however they could not get a cottage hospital, they should endeavour to founder a maternity home.
Mr Geo Keeling said that they should not be afraid to launch out, and that they could not aim too high. From what he knew of the late nurse, and what she had done, surely £500 or even more would be easily collected....One speaker said that if some people were to give £100 they would not then be paying sufficient for money could never repay the many acts of charity and kindness that had been performed by the late Nurse Pennell.'

Source: Weekly News 14 June 1917. Click to enlarge the photo.

Source: Weekly News 5 April 1917. Click to enlarge the photo.

Ohinemuri Gazette, 11 Jan 1918: JOY AND SORROW, WELCOME HOME. On Wednesday afternoon, Private 'Puckey' Pennell returned to Paeroa, a large number of people.. assembling to meet him. 'Puckey' left New Zealand with the Main Body, and was invalided home about three months ago, and has been an inmate of the Auckland Hospital since that time. He was suffering from severe wounds in the throat, and has had a very trying time. He is looking fairly well, but is still suffering from partial loss of voice. On the evening of the arrival of 'Puckey', his parents arranged a pleasant social gathering at their residence on Thames Road in honour of their son's home-coming. A large number of friends and relations assembled. Many words of welcome were exchanged in honour of the returned soldier, and a most enjoyable evening was spent. Ohinemuri Gazette, 18 Jan 1918: WELCOME HOME TO PRIVATE HAROLD PENNELL: A very enjoyable evening was spent at Mr and Mrs Pennell's home on Thames Road, Paeroa, on Tuesday evening last, on the occasion of their son's Private Harold Pennell return from the front... In dealing with the Pennell family, Mr W.J. Moore said that he had known Mr and Mrs Pennell for the last 30 years. They were honourable and upright and patriotic citizens, and when the Empire was in danger every one of them fit to shoulder a rifle rushed to her assistance. Ohinemuri Gazette, 1 August 1919: WELCOME HOME TO PRIVATE GEORGE PENNELL: A very pleasant social evening given by Mr J. Pennell senr and family was held at their home, Thames Road, last evening, on the occasion of the return of the last member of the family, Private George Pennell, of the Australian Light Infantry. About 20 returned soldiers were present. Mr James Donovan, a returned soldier, on proposing the health of the Pennell family, paid special tribute to the late Mr 'Ponto' Clarke and other members of the family who responded to their country's call and took part in many a hard-fought battle. Mr W. Bain, who was also present, said he felt that he could not let the occasion pass without paying tribute to one of the oldest families in Paeroa. In fact, it was questionable if there was a family in any part of the Dominion who sent as many representatives to the war as the Pennell family. In his concluding remarks he paid special tribute to the late Nurse Pennell, who, through her many acts of kindness and generosity during her professional career in extending a helping hand to those in need, justly entitles her to be called the 'Mother of Paeroa'. Ohinemuri Gazette, 3 October 1919: A large number of friends and well-wishers assembled at the residence of Mr J. Pennell Senr, Thames Road, on Wednesday last, on the occasion of his 85th birthday. The function was arranged by his sons and grandsons and other relatives of Mr Pennell who took part in the war. Mr Pennell was born in Cheshire, England and came to New Zealand with his parents when he was only 18 months old, and, like all the other pioneers of his day, he saw many ups and downs. He was engaged in many walks of life, such as mining, gumdigging, waggon-driving, horse-racing, and farming. When the Maori war broke out the life of a soldier appealed to him, and at the first opportunity he downed tools and joined the colours, and fought right through the different engagements, and had many hairbreadth escapes. On congratulating Mr Pennell, the Deputy-Mayor, Mr W. Taylor, said that evidently the fighting instinct was handed down from father to son, as when the late war broke out, those who were able to shoulder the rifle shook the New Zealand dust from their feet and entered the conflict. Mr Taylor regretted that Mr Pennell's partner, the late Nurse Pennell, whose name had been mentioned on several occasions in connection with patriotic movements, was not amongst them. The Pennell Family March 1926. Click to enlarge the photo. Seated from left, Hannah Clarke nee Pennell, John Pennell (with cane.) Standing from left: William Patrick Pennell (Son of Hannah), Robert and James. Note: This is tentative only. Anyone who can help identify these Pennells, please contact the author. John Pennell died on the 14th April 1926 at home.

References:

• The New Zealand Gazette, The Treasury Collection, Thames.


• The Ohinemuri Regional History Journal Vol 21 (June 1977).


• Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph Database.


• Australian War Memorial Embarkation Rolls.


• Paperspast


• The Goldminers' Database