Maker: Pauline Leverton

Panel number: 229

Petition sheet number: 282

Person honouring: Mrs [Bridget] Lynch

Relationship to maker: Great-grandmother

Bridget O'Donnell was from Fenton in County Donegal, Ireland.

She arrived in Lyttelton in 1868 and married Daniel Lynch at Christchurch in 1873. The couple had three sons and three daughters.

They began farming pursuits in Dromore, near Ashburton, in 1887 with a large measure of success. Bridget was held in high esteem by the locals to whom she endeared herself with her trademark cheery face and helping hand. She was a devout Catholic. I credit Bridget with my precious gift of faith through the faith she instilled in my grandmother, her eldest daughter, Ellen Lynch O'Reilly.

Bridget was 56 when she died in May 1905. She was buried at Ashburton cemetery.

Panel materials: Fabric from Re-Sew and also decorative pieces I already had.