Williams, Matilda Alice (1875–1973)

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Williams, Matilda Alice (1875–1973)

New Zealand deaconess. Name variations: Matilda Alice Jeffrey, Sister Olive. Born Jan 5, 1875, at Alexandra, Victoria, Australia; died Oct 22, 1973, at Kew, Victoria, Australia; dau. of John (farmer) and Ann (Scale) Jeffrey; m. William James Williams (cleric), 1908 (died 1936).

Trained as deaconess in Melbourne; performed social-welfare work for Australian Home Mission Board; invited to work for Trinity Wesleyan Church in Dunedin (1900); particularly concerned for welfare of underprivileged women and children, the ill and unemployed; worked closely with New Zealand Women's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU); after marriage, became lady superintendent at Deaconess House, Christchurch.

See also Dictionary of New Zealand Biography (Vol. 3).

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