Mary Jane was born in Otago, New Zealand. Her father was John Penketh, born in Lancashire, England. Her mother was Mary Ann Crompton, also born in Lancashire, England. She married Edwin Needham. She was a nurse.

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Mary J. Needham, Well Known Nurse, Dies Here Monday

Mrs .Mary Jane Penketh Needham, 67, wife of Edwin Needham, passed away at her home here at ten o'clock Monday night, death resulting from chronic obstructive jaundice. Her health had not been normal for some time, and she was bedfast the past seven weeks.

Mrs. Needham was born May 28, 1866, at Hamilton, Otago county, New Zealand, a daughter of John and Mary Ann Crompton Penketh, and the eldest of a family of five children. The Penketh were an old English family, coming from Penketh Hall Lancashire, England, to which they returned when Mrs. Needham was a young girl. Her marriage to Edwin Needham took place in England July 5, 1896, Mrs. Needham became a convert to the L. D. S. church being baptized a member October 21, 1911. The Needham home was known as a home for the L. D. S. missionaries in England, many prominent missionaries of the church stopping there occasionally. In February 1915, Mrs. Needham came to Utah, going to Brigham City, where she was associated as a nurse with Dr. W. D. Henderson, who is now a member of the Salt Lake clinic. In about 1918 she came to Richfield as matron at the general hospital then conducted here. After the hospital was closed she worked in the office of Dr. T. R. Gledhill about seven years, and later in the office of Dr. D. B. Gottfredson where she was employed when she became ill. She was a faithful member of the church and especially active in genealogical and Relief society work. Mrs. Needhams husband, who because of restrictions enforced during the World war, was unable to join her here until January 1920.

Surviving Mrs. Needham are her husband, who lives in Richfield, and one sister, who lives in England.

Published in the Richfield Reaper | 1933-10-12

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Funeral Held in the First Ward for Mary J.Needham

Funeral services for Mrs. Mary J. Needham, wife of Edwin Needham, were held Thursday afternoon in the First ward chapel with Bishop Enoch R. Larsen presiding.

As musical numbers, "Sometime We'll Understand," "Oh it is Wonderful" and "I'll Go Where You Want Me to Go," were sung by a double quartet composed Mrs. L. A. Poulson, Mrs. H. W. Keate, Mrs. Moroni Jensen, Mrs. Joseph M. Ogden, Mrs. Claud Miller, J. W. Ward, Alfred Ward, J. Milton Poulson and Clarence Littlewood, with Mrs. Lizzie Hansen at the organ. As a solo, Mrs. L. A. Poulson sang, "Oh My Father" and "I Know That My Redeemer Lives" was sung as a trio by Alfred Ward, J. W. Ward and Clarence Littlewood.

Dr. T. R. Gledhill was the principal speaker at the services, and referred to Mrs. Needham's love of humanity and her natural qualifications as a nurse, her appreciation of good music and good books, her love of flowers and her devotion to her religion. He read a letter from Bishop Joel Richards of Salt Lake, who had baptized Mrs. Needham a member of the L. D. S. church when he labored as a missionary in England. He referred also to letters from George H. Curry and Dr. David Henderson of Salt Lake which expressed sympathy and paid tribute to Mrs. Needham.

Bishop Larsen spoke briefly, stressing the perseverance with which Mrs. Needham performed her duties.

The opening prayer was by A. G. Young; the benediction by J. F. Ogden. F. M. Ogden dedicated the grave, interment being in the city cemetery. The services were in keeping with Mrs. Needham's requests as far as was possible. Many friends attended and sent beautiful flowers. Pallbearers were Arthur Poulson, Ammon Moss, A. W. Rowley, J. F. Ogden, Reed Ogden and Jos. M. Ogden.

Published in the Richfield Reaper | 1933-10-19