ALLAN, MARY AMELIA (MILLY) nee WOOD
Mary Wood was born at Westbury, Shropshire, England in 1878, the eldest daughter of William Rigby and Mary Amelia Wood nee Molde. The Wood family first came to New Zealand in 1885 settling at Te Rapa, Hamilton. However things did not go as planned and they returned to England about two years later. About 1891, the family again came to New Zealand landing at New Plymouth, and eventually making their way to Okaiawa.
At Manaia on the 14 October 1903, Mary married Thomas John Allan, a member of an early Meremere family.
Mary took a prominent part in the affairs of the Hawera WDFU branch until the Women's Institute movement was launched, when she became associated with the formation of the institute at Normanby. She was first president and held office on the Taranaki council, being a noted speaker for the advancement of women's interests.
She was also a loyal supporter of the Normanby Horticultural Society and as a member of the committee gave excellent service at shows. Mary sponsored a movement for the formation of the Hawera Ladies' Amateur Athletic Club and was president for two years, winning high esteem for her capabilities as hostess and team manager.
The family lived for some years at Ketemarae Road, Normanby where Mary became well known for her garden and gardening skills.
Mary Amelia Allan died on 19 May 1936 at her residence, aged 58 years, and is buried at the Hawera cemetery. A daughter was Ethel Blake.
SOURCE
Obituary "Hawera Star" 20 May 1936
John Wood, Manaia (nephew)
FAMILIES I AM RESEARCHING | MISCELLANEOUS GENEALOGICAL STUFF | NEW ZEALAND — ON LINE GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY RESOURCES | NEW ZEALAND — YOUNG BOY IMMIGRANT SCHEME 1911 — 1914 | NEW ZEALAND DISASTERS AND TRAGEDIES | NEW ZEALAND MISCELLANEOUS GENEALOGICAL INDEXES | NEW ZEALAND LAND WARS — MISCELLANEOUS GENEALOGICAL INDEXES | NEW ZEALAND AND WORLD WAR ONE | NEW ZEALAND AND WORLD WAR TWO | NEW ZEALAND ROLLS OF HONOUR AND WAR MEMORIALS — BY LOCATION | NEW ZEALAND ROLLS OF HONOUR AND WAR MEMORIALS — BY CONFLICT | NEW ZEALAND ROLLS OF HONOUR — MILITARY NURSES | PAKEHA/MAORI TRANSLITERATIONS | PASSENGER LISTS TO NEW ZEALAND | SHAND — FAMILY HISTORY | SOUTH TARANAKI, NEW ZEALAND — GENEALOGICAL RESOURCES | SPONDON, DERBYSHIRE, ENGLAND — GENEALOGICAL RESOURCES | WANGANUI COLLEGIATE SCHOOL 1865 — 1947 | WESTERN BAY OF PLENTY, NEW ZEALAND — GENEALOGICAL RESOURCES