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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Canterbury Provincial District]

Marion Campbell

Marion Campbell, wife of the Rev. Joseph Campbell, was born in Sydney, New South Wales, in 1862. In her girlhood she gave promise of intellectual ability, and took the Sydney University prize at the junior and senior examinations, and the medal for French. She was an excellent musician, and played the organ at the City Church at an early age. When only twenty years of age she was married to the Rev. Joseph Campbell, and directed her attention to the studies in which he was engaged as Acting-Professor in Experimental Physics at Sydney University. Already an excellent Latin scholar, she took up Greek, and also read theology and general literature. A residence in London, from 1886 to 1889, was of such advantage to her, that she was anxious her two daughters should enjoy a similar privilege, and with that and in view she left New Zealand for England, with her children. It had been Mr. Campbell's intention to accompany her, but his acceptance of the incumbency of Papanui made it necessary for him to remain in New Zealand. After being in London for a little while Mrs Campbell was told by physicians that she must be careful of her health, but she did not attach much importance to this warning. Later on, however, her health really gave way, and when her condition became serious, the best medical advice recommended an immediate operation. This was effected, but Mrs Campbell, never rallying, died on the 24th of October, 1901, at the age of thirty-nine. On the receipt of a cable message telling him of his wife's serious condition, Mr. Campbell set about making arrangements to leave immediately for England, but before he had time to get away, another message announcing Mrs Campbell's death came to hand. It came as a great shock to the parishioners with whom, during her short residence in Papanui, the deceased lady had become very popular. On the 12th of January, 1902, her husband presented and dedicated a handsome carved eagle lectern in St. Paul's Church, Papanui, to her memory. It bears the following inscription on a brass plate: “To the glory of God, and to the dear memory of Eliza Marion, wife of Joseph Campbell, M.A., Vicar of this Parish, who fell asleep while on a visit to London, on the 24th day of October, 1901. Requiescat in pace.”

The Late Mrs Campbell.

The Late Mrs Campbell.