Born in Gurtnagranaher, daughter of Thomas and Mary Holland (nee Boyce) of Moig Farm, Bridget came out from Ireland with her sisters Johanna & Margaret and cousin, also Bridget Holland, as part of a Government assisted package when they were all still in their teens. They came on the S.S. Doric and arrived 17 Oct 1884 then traveled by train from Invercargill to Gore. While Johanna and Margaret both married soon after their arrival and raised families in Gore, Bridget remained single until 22 Jan 1907 when she married Patrick Aloysius McNamee in Gore and became a farmer's wife at Garston. They had a family of four: three sons, Patrick Owen, Thomas Felix, James Nicholas and a daughter, Mary Anne.

OBITUARY

MRS BRIDGET THERESA McNAMEE

The death at Gore on Friday, December 1 of Mrs Bridget Theresa McNamee removed from the community a personality of the true pioneer type. Mrs McNamee tasted many of the hardships of life in Ireland and in the young colony of New Zealand, but in the face of all difficulties she never faltered, always striving to overcome hurdles and provide the best for her family.

Born at Askeaton, County Limerick, Ireland, she was a daughter of the late Mr and Mrs T. J. Holland. When still in her teens plans were made for a journey to New Zealand with her two sisters, the late Mrs Millane and the late Mrs Leen, and her brother, the late Mr Patrick Holland. They made the voyage in the ship, Dorrick and after landing at Lyttelton, proceeded to Gore to join their brother, the late Mr James Holland, then proprietor of the Gore Hotel. In 1907 Miss Holland was married to Mr Patrick Aloysius McNamee, a successful farmer of Garston, where she spent the remainder of her life.

Mrs McNamee's interests did not extend far past her church and home, in which she proved to be a devoted mother and a lavish hostess, always willing to give a helping hand to friends and acquaintances in need of assistance of any kind.

The burial took place on Sunday, December 3, at the Garston cemetery, Rev Father Hanrahan officiating at the graveside. The many beautiful wreaths placed on the grave were typical of her thoughts and hobby in life – flowers. Mrs McNamee was predeceased by her husband in 1935. The surviving members of her family are Owen, Thomas, James and Mary (Mrs G. Menlove), all of Garston. There are four grand-children.