Whitaker, Mabel (1884–1976)
Whitaker, Mabel (1884–1976)
New Zealand teacher and local historian. Name variations: Mabel Wilson. Born May 11, 1884, at Belfast, near Christchurch, New Zealand; died July 10, 1976, in New Plymouth, New Zealand; dau. of Edward Robert Ward Wilson (farmer) and Margaret (Boyce) Wilson; m. Walter Morris Whitaker (grocer), 1917 (died 1952); children: 2 sons.
Taught at Kapuni School (1908), at Marco School near Kohuratahi (1909–13), and Norfolk Women's Institute (1931–35), and worked as substitute teacher at schools in and around New Plymouth until retirement (1957); founding member of Norfolk Women's Institute (1931); worked with St John Ambulance Brigade during WWII; produced booklet, "A Survey of the District, 1841–1939"; wrote and illustrated collection of stories and lyrics, "Pioneer Tales from Taranaki's Rough North-east Back Blocks."
See also Dictionary of New Zealand Biography (Vol. 3).