Mary Worthington (1830-1904)

Mary Worthington (1830-1904)

Philanthropist and public benefactor. Responsible for Worthington Park, Worthington Primary School and other notable causes. Opened the park in June 1900.

Mary Worthington (née McConnel) was born in Manchester on 13 August 1830. She was the eldest daughter of textile manufacturer, Henry McConnel and his wife Margaret Alexander (née Kennedy). The family lived at Cressbrook Hall, Derbyshire. Little is known of Mary’s early life, but on 24 April 1856, she married China trade dealer, James Worthington of Altrincham, at Tideswell, Derbyshire. Their first son, Henry Hugo, was born in Manchester in 1857.

In 1861, Mary and James were living at the Polygon, Ardwick, Manchester. Their second son, James Kennedy, was born in 1863. By 1871, the family had relocated to Sale Old Hall. Sadly, James Kennedy died in 1885 at the age of twenty-two. In 1887, Mary’s husband, James died. By 1891, Mary had moved to nearby Sale Lodge. Sale Old Hall passed into the hands of her surviving son, Henry Hugo.

Mary Worthington’s life was dedicated to charitable enterprises. In particular, she was a great contributor to the cause of education for women. As well as giving generous sums of money to the University of Manchester and several Manchester charities, she supported many causes in Sale and was heavily involved in Sale life, judging competitions and hosting school children with refreshments at her home. Mary also formally opened Sale Library in March 1891.

Mary was president and one of the founders of Sale and District Nursing Association and she supported the Sale Girls’ Training Home and Sale Girls’ High School. She contributed to the building of the Dunham Road Unitarian Chapel, where she undertook her
worship, as well as supporting the Unitarian chapels at Sale and Hale.
For many years Mary supported a day school at Sale Moor and took part in its management. This was Sale Lodge School, the predecessor to Worthington Road School.

In 1897, Sale Urban District Council wanted to buy land to provide a public park in Sale, but ratepayers refused to sanction the necessary expenditure. However, an anonymous donor, later revealed to be Mary Worthington, provided the funds. Sale Park was opened by Mary with a golden key, on 30 June 1900 and she planted a red oak tree, which still stands today. Children attending, received a commemorative medal and a brass band provided music. In 1950, during the park’s Golden Jubilee celebrations,
Viscount Leverhulme, Lord Lieutenant of Cheshire, planted another red oak tree and the park was re-named Worthington Park in memory of Mary.

In her later years, Mary suffered from ill health and spent her winters in Torquay, where she resided at the Osborne Hotel. She died on 29 December 1904 and was buried in Torquay cemetery. As well as bequeathing art works, including works by J.M.W. Turner, to Manchester City and Whitworth Art Galleries, she left her books to Sale Library.