John

John Riordan was the first child for Patrick and Mary and was born on 14 January 1883 at Kirwee, then was baptised on 21 January at Leeston. He was ordained priest on 13 December 1914. He died on 18 April 1925 while Parish Priest at Ross, in the eleventh year of his priesthood. He is buried in the Ross Cemetery with a headstone given as a tribute from parishoners and friends.

"The passing of the deceased removes one of the most popular figures in the district throughout which he was honoured and loved. Altogether outside his church connection he made a wonderful lot of friends, and the news of his sudden illness and now of his death has caused an exceptional expression of sorrow and regret. Father Riordan was present at the Westland Racing Club's meeting, and then appeared in his usual good health, so that his untimely death came all the more unexpectedly. During the last nine years he had had charge of the Ross parish and he endeared himself to all with whom he came in contact. The deceased was a native of Darfield, Canterbury, and 43 years of age.
He carried out his studies for the priesthood at Holy Cross College, Mosgiel, Otago, his ordination at the hands of the late Bishop Grimes, taking place at Christchurch about ten years ago, soon after which he was appointed parish priest at Ross, where he had remained ever since.
Father Riordan, who lost his brother in the Great War, is survived by a sister, Mrs Rody Ryan of Papanui, Christchurch who was also present when the death took place, and to her will be extended the sincere sympathy of the community in her bereavement. Another sister, a member of the Community of the Mission Convent, Christchurch, died some few years ago."

Martin

Martin Riordan was born on 9 October 1884 at Charing Cross and was baptised at Leeston. In 1908 he married Margaret Mary Malone in Christchurch. The family lived in Dannevirke for a while and then moved to New Plymouth. They had a farm on Hurford Road, Omata, until moving into town, where they lived at 555 South Road. (This address later became 39 South Rd and was lived in until recent years by their daughter Mary.)
It appears that Martin suffered from a "weak chest" and this was the reason why he gave up farming. On 29 August 1921, aged 36 years, Martin died of pleurisy at New Plymouth Hospital and he is buried in Te Henui Cemetery, New Plymouth.

Patrick Joseph
(headstone at Shand's Rd)

Patrick Joseph

Patrick Joseph was born at Charing Cross in March 1886 and was baptised at Leeston on 19 March 1886. He married Mary Philomena Narbey, who came from Akaroa, in the Church of the Holy Angels, Darfield, on 22 August 1911. He was farming at Springston. He died on 16 November 1944 and is buried at the Broadfield-Shand's Rd Cemetery.

Patrick and Philomena had six children: Patrick, Mary, Thecla, Ursula, Colleen and Aileen.

Bridget Riordan was born on 12 July 1889 and was baptised at Darfield on Sunday 14 July 1889 By Father James O'Donnell, parish priest of Ashburton and a relative. She married Roderick Benedict (Rhody) Ryan in the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Christchurch in 1921. They had two daughters, Mary and Julia. Bridget is buried in the cemetery at Broadfields-Shands Rd near Christchurch.

Annie had acquired Consumption from her mother Mary who had died of it while Annie was still a baby. Annie herself died of Consumption, on 7 July 1911, before her twentieth birthday. She is buried in the Linwood Cemetery in a plot with other nuns from her congregation.