Biography contributed by Katherine Blakeley
Mary Barbara Laura Waters was born in 1868 in New Zealand – the daughter of John Waters, a stablekeeper, and Ann Herbertson.
Laura grew up in Milton where she signed the suffrage petition.
She married Thomas Corson on 18 May 1899 at 'Lewisville', Tokomairiro & they had 6 children. The family lived in Napier for a few years before settling in Gisborne. Thomas died in Gisborne in 1940 and Laura died at her home on 8 August 1948, they are buried in the family grave in the Taruheru Cemetery, Gisborne. Laura’s obituary said she 'was a member and first president of the Gisborne Croquet Club, a member of the Gisborne branch of the Victoria League, and a life member of the Gisborne Women’s Club. A keen amateur gardener, Mrs Corson made her home, 'Yelverton', Riverside road, as attractive in appearance as it was popular among the many friends of the family as a centre of social activities.'
Sources
BDM online NZ https://bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz/
Otago Nominal Index http://marvin.otago.ac.nz
Papers Past https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz
Presbyterian Research Centre https://www.presbyterian.org.nz/archives/
Gisborne District Council https://cemeterysearch.gdc.govt.nz/