Community Contributed

Mrs Margaret Whitaker

Kete Horowhenua2020-03-23T16:48:55+00:00
Mrs Margaret Whitaker was the Levin librarian for seventeen years from 1932-1949.
Spouses nameWilliam Whitaker (son of John and Catherine Whitaker)
Spouses date of birth1892
Spouses place of birthLevin, NZ
Spouses date of death11/03/1944
Spouses place of deathPrivate Hospital, Palmerston North.
Marriage date1921
Place of marriageSt Marys Anglican Church, Levin.
Siblings, , , ,
ChildrenMargaret (Mrs F.N. Atkins of Manakau), Lorna (Mrs W.J.M. Rolston of Levin), Catherine (Mrs L.C. Rountree of Auckland), ,
Places of relevance, , , ,
Last known residenceQueen Street, Levin (in 1944).
Educational achievementsALA Certificate in Library Studies
Place of birthNorthampton, England.
OccupationLibrarian
Place of deathLevin

Mrs Margaret WhitakerMrs Whitaker was born in Northampton and met her future husband while he was with the New Zealand forces in Europe during World War I. She followed him back to Levin, where they were maried in St Marys in 1921. They had 3 daughters: Margaret, Lorna and Catherine.

Mrs Whitaker started work in the Municipal library in 1932, and became qualified in 1938, receiving the ALA Certificate in Library Studies. She retired after 17 years, in 1949.

She was a keen participant in Radio Quizz shows and competed in sessions broadcast out of 2ZA in Palmerston North when in her 70s - the oldest competitor! She became nearly blind as she got older, and received 2nd prize in an essay competition against blind people from all over the world.

She was a dedicated member of St Marys Anglican Church in Levin, and also the Little Theatre, taking parts in productions.

She died at the age of 81 and was survived by 2 brothers (USA and England) and 3 daughters: Mrs F.N. Atkin (Manakau), Mrs W.J.M. Rolston (Levin), and Mrs L.C. Rountree (Auckland).