Biography contributed by Katherine Blakeley
Catherine Celia Cooper was born about 1867 in New Zealand – the daughter of George Frederick Cooper and Catherine Perry. (See 534 C Cooper)
She married William Couchman on 11 May 1887 at the Trinity Church in Greymouth.
They had five children and lived in Castlecliff, near Whanganui, where Catherine signed the suffrage petition.
William died in 1898 – he is buried in the Heads Road Cemetery, Whanganui.
The following year Catherine remarried to George Alfred Shaddick, a turner for the Railways Department.
Catherine and George had two daughters before George died in 1914.
Catherine and the children were left with no means of support. A 'sacred benefit concert' was held to aid the family.
Catherine set up in business as a laundress which appears to have been a success as, in 1920, she was advertising for staff at the Boys’ Collegiate School.
She married again on 11 May 1935 to Charles McPherson, the widower of her elder sister Caroline.
'The wedding party was held at the residence of Mr. Charles Couchman...where a dainty repast was set with a large wedding cake adorning the centre of the table'.
Charles died in 1938 in Hamilton – he is buried in the Karoro Cemetery, Greymouth.
Catherine died on 24 October 1948 at her daughter’s home in Taihape – she is buried in the Taihape Cemetery.
Sources
BDM online NZ https://bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz/
Family Search https://www.familysearch.org
Papers Past https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz
Find a Grave https://www.findagrave.com/