Clara Looney

Clara Belcher was the - Child of James Belcher and Mary Heaven. She was born in Little River Canterbury, her father at the time being a bushman clearing land for farming. She came from a large family and no doubt had a role to play with chores and housework.

She married Gordon Townsend and had four boys. Gordon died in 1915 and Clara then had a relationship with an unknown male.

Roy was born in 1920, and at the age of six weeks Clara placed him in foster care. this must have been a difficult time for her.

Records show she lived on Opunake road in Stratford and died in 1954.

Autopsy carried out on Mrs Clara Looney at the Barrett Street Hospital, New Plymouth on 29th June 1954 by Doctor P. Allen.

Cause of Death:

1. Gross decubitus ulceration

2. Paraplegia: Spinal cord compression at T 5-6

3. Acute osteomyelitis bodies and transverse processes of T 5-6

4. Abscess of the vitreous body right and destructive chorioretinitis

5. Acute or sub-acute destructive pyelonephritis

6. Diabetes mellitus

Doctor Allan inferred from his findings the primary cause of death was a urinary infection in which an infection of the eye and thoracic spine resulted.