Biography contributed by Katherine Blakeley
Mary Dent was born in 1847 in Habersham Eaves, Lancashire – the daughter of James Dent, a coal miner, and Ruth Ingham.
She emigrated to Nelson with her family in 1862 on the Golconda and she married, baker, William Dickie in 1868.
They lived in Cobden, near Greymouth, and had seven children, one who died in infancy, before William died in 1882 from 'inflammation of the lungs'.
Mary remained in Cobden where she signed the suffrage petition.
She died on 6 January 1904 and is buried with William in the Cobden Cemetery.
Mary’s obituary said she 'was highly respected and a general favourite with all whom she was brought in contact, and took a leading part in all functions of a beneficial character. She was a kindly old soul and never looked for praise.'
Sources
BDM online NZ https://bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz/
Family Search https://www.familysearch.org
Free BDM https://www.freebmd.org.uk
GRO England https://www.gro.gov.uk
Papers Past https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz
Find a Grave https://www.findagrave.com/