Biographical information provided by Susan Jenkins for the He Tohu exhibition:
Mary Jane was born to Henry and Elizabeth Collett in 1851 in New Zealand. Henry and Elizabeth were one of the first settlers in Petone, arriving on the British barque HMS London on 12 December 1840.
Mary was 29 when her mother died. She never married, instead remaining in the family home to look after her father, a wheelwright and carpenter, who was injured in a serious building accident two years earlier.
In Henry's will Mary, along with her younger brother Albert, had been appointed executors of their father’s estate. Additionally Henry had left his land and 'all the personal Estate' to his daughter Mary. This property is now called 'Collett House' and its current address of 36 Riddlers Crescent, Petone.
Mary worked in the Anglican Sunday School in Petone for many years and contributed much to events held in conjunction with St. Augustine's Church.
In 1901 Mary acted as 'father of the bride', at the wedding of her niece Mabel Elizabeth Jane Collett. Mary may have had a soft spot for her niece as she made provisions for Mabel in her last will and testament.
