Princess Laura Lubecki

(1814-1901)

Notable Women Walk

Madame Laura Lubecki, to quote from The Centennial History of All Saints’ Parish Nelson  by H F Ault, “was the daughter of Thomas Duffus, West Indian merchant and planter, and the widow of Prince Alois Konstantin Lubecki.

Born in Kent in 1814, she had married in London in the 1830s at the age of 21 to the Prince, who was a native of Warsaw Poland. They had lived in New South Wales, Melbourne and Dunedin before coming to Nelson in 1894.

She was a faithful communicant of All Saints’ until her death at the age of 86 on 22 January 1901. One of her sons, A D Lubecki, was an All Saints’ Vestryman and Synodsman, and left a legacy of £300. The Prince died in Dunedin in 1864. Their two sons are buried in the same grave [OG03040]. Ref The Wakapuaka Cemetery by Rosemary Venner & Roots, Twigs and Branches by Heather Sigglekow.

Burial records

• Lubecki Laura buried 24 January 1901 aged 86 years.

Headstone transcription

In Loving memory of Princess Laura Lubecki who died at Nelson, January 23rd 1901. Aged 86 years. Also of Prince Alois Konstantin  Lubecki husband of the above, who died at Dunedin, October 7th 1864. Aged 64 years. In Loving memory of Princess Laura Lubecki who died at Nelson, January 23rd 1901, aged 86 years. Also of Prince Alois Konstantin LUBECKI husband of the above who died at Dunedin,  7th  October 1864. “ Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord”. Also of their sons, Jean Konstantin LUBECKI died 1865 and Alois Duffus LUBECKI died 1926 . [Stone mason-Simpson, Large cross with circle in background.]

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