MARY ELIZABETH BUNNY

THE LATE MISS M.E. BUNNY

A LIFE GIVEN TO GOOD WORKS

MEMBER OF AN OLD NEWBURY FAMILY

There has died during this week a quiet little lady whose passing will be genuinely regretted by a very large number of townspeople, particularly in the more humble walks of life. Miss Mary Elizabeth Bunny, who passed away on Thursday at her residence in the London-road at the advanced aged of 83, gave her life to good works. There was never such a devoted church worker, and she might almost be described as an unofficial curate of St Mary’s Speenhamland, for the past half- century. Her work amongst the sick and needy was quiet and unostentatious, but a true example of social service.

She also served on various philanthropic bodies, including the Newbury Relief Committee where her knowledge of the poor was of the greatest use. She was also an original member of the Newbury District Hospital Committee. Recently someone remarked to her, “I am afraid you must often be imposed on, Miss Bunny,” to which she replied “I would sooner be imposed upon than feel that someone had to go hungry to bed.” This was characteristic of her. She was a true Christian in deed as well as in word.

She was a member of an old Newbury family who for several successive generations occupied prominent positions in the town. She was the second daughter of the late Mr. Joseph Bunny, M.D., who was coroner for the borough, and died in 1885 in his 87^th year. He was a pioneer in the promotion of the Newbury Literary and Scientific Society.

The name of Bunny will be found frequently in the annals of the town in the last two centuries. There was Jere Bunny, who was Mayor upon the accession of Queen Victoria to the throne. Amongst the burials in Newbury Churchyard are those of Sarah Bunny, 1767; Bland Buck Bunny, 1777; Mary Bunny, 1796; Brice Bunny, banker, 1819; Alice Bunny, 1838; Clara Bunny, 1835; and Jere Bunny, 1854.

The funeral took place on Monday afternoon, the first part of the service being held in St Mary’s Church, and the interment in the Old Cemetery, Newtown-road.

Despite the wet afternoon the large congregation filled the church, testifying to the great respect in which the deceased lady was held. The officiating clergy were the Vicar, the Re. W. J. Holloway, the Rev. H. Bunny, and the Rev. H.W. Gooch……

The family mourners were Mrs. W.H. Gooch (sister), the Rev. H.W. Gooch (nephew) and Mrs Gooch, Mr. G.W. Gooch (nephew) and the Rev. H. Bunny (nephew).

Newbury Weekly News 10 February 1927

Buried 7 February 1927 Bk. 1917 p 113 no. 10498