Margaret Malone was born in Ballinadrideen, Ballyhea Parish, Co Cork, on 16 January 1876. (This is not far south of Charleville.) She was the daughter of Jeremiah Malone and Margaret Riordan.
She emigrated to New Zealand and was first resident on the farm of Patrick Riordan and his family, at Charing Cross, near Darfield, with her sister Bridget and brother Patrick. She married Martin Riordan in Christchurch in 1908, and a few years later they were farming on Hurford Rd, Omata, before moving into New Plymouth. Margaret and Martin had seven children: Mary, Patrick, John, Annie, Gerry, James Kevin (Jim) and Martin.
Mary became a registered nurse. Annie sadly died of burns when just a young child.
Margaret's husband Martin died in 1921 when their youngest child Martin was just 2, and she raised six children as a widow. The family called her "The Mater".
Margaret died on 28 August, 1949, and is buried in the Te Henui Cemetery, New Plymouth.
| Attachment | Size |
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| Martin and Margaret Riordan Headstone.jpg (150.86 KB) | 150.86 KB |
| 1 103b Bridget and Margaret Malone.jpg (795.54 KB) | 795.54 KB |
| Additional Information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 16th Jan 1876 | VIEW SOURCE |
| Date of Death | 28th Aug 1949 | |
| Father (First Name/s and Surname) | Jeremiah Malone | |
| Mother (First Name/s and Maiden) | Margaret Riordan | VIEW SOURCE |
| Townland born | Ballinadrideen | |
| Spouse (First Name/s and Maiden/Surname) | Martin Riordan | |
| Place & Date of Marriage | 26 August 1908, Christchurch, New Zealand | |
