Transcription of Obituary published in the Primitive Methodist Magazine by J.J.R.
Our little church at Palmerston Street, Liverpool First Circuit, has sustained a great loss by the death of Mrs. Richards. Our sister was born in Shropshire in the year 1860, and attended the little village Sunday School at Weston Common in the old Oswestry Circuit. She made the good choice early, and became a beautiful Christian.
As one of our young ministers writes:—“To be in her presence was a benediction.” Another says: “There are few possessed of the Spirit of Christ so truly as she was. Nor have I known a friend who has so influenced me for good.”
Her home was always open to our preachers, and many of our young ministers found there a home away from home. Primitive Methodism was very dear to her, and the joy she experienced in seeing her younger brother in our ministry, and her two elder daughters serving the good cause at Palmerston Street, was very great.
During the last few years she suffered much through ill-health, and the loss of her husband seventeen months ago was a heavy blow, but she bore up bravely, and in the last days, all her thoughts were for the comfort and happiness of others.
She quietly and peacefully passed away on October 29th, and on the following Sunday morning her mortal remains were borne to their last resting place by four workers from the little church, in the presence of a great company of sorrowing friends. The service was impressively conducted by Rev. James Watkin, assisted by Rev. W.J. Musson, Messrs. R.F. Whiteside, F.G.S., and H. Fowler. Many were the floral tributes sent. She always loved the flowers, and it seemed appropriate that her grave should be covered so beautifully. On November 29th, Mr. M. Lewis (an old friend) conducted the memorial service, and gave a touching address. Though the earthly home will be much impoverished by her departure (and we deeply sympathise with the four girls in their early loss of father and mother), yet the heavenly home will seem all the nearer and the more real because she has gone thither.
Family
Mary was born in 1860 at Baschurch, Weston Lullingfield, Shropshire, to parents Thomas, who walked the land, and Ann.
She married William Richards (abt1858-1907), a postman (1891),in late 1884 in the West Derby Registration District, Lancashire. Census returns identify four children.
- Ethel Reeves (1885-1970) – a civil service telephonist (1911); married James Joseph Cox, a clerk (1911), in 1911; died in Australia
- Lilian Helen (1888-1958) – an elementary school teacher (1911); married Alfred Felton, a commercial traveller (1939), in 1932
- Fanny May (b1894) – a shorthand typist (1911)
- Ivy Mabel (1897-1976) – a mental nurse (1939)
Mary died on 29 October 1908 at Liverpool, Lancashire.
References
Primitive Methodist Magazine 1909/242
Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers
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