My Dearest Aunty Joan,
Words cannot even start to express how saddened I am of your passing and how you will be missed so very much but I will do my best to express them. Firstly I pass on my deepest sympathy to you Uncle Alan who I know will be grieving for your wife of 67 years, you two shared such a deep love for oneanother and a real friendship where you were able to just be or chat but you knew what each was thinking without having to say anything, that was a rare thing and dont you ever forget that. Jonathan and I will keep in touch once you move to be closer to family. To Brian, Rosalie and family, Brenda, Richard and family, Doug, Jayne and family, I knew some of you very well myself and others I knew through Aunty Joan and my thoughts and prayers go out to you as well. As a girl I remember coming down to see you every time we came over from Aust on our holidays but it wasnt until Jonathan and I were married and we lived near by 11 years ago that I really got to know you well. You were the only NZ extended family member (since Grandma wasnt able to) who kept in touch regularly and I thank you so much for that as it hasnt been easy being away from immediate family. Since being diagnosed with Breast Cancer, last Nov 2013 there wasnt a week that went by that I didnt hear from you at least once, usually twice and I dont think I could have got through the last 7 months without your loving support and encouragement and that has meant more to me than anyone will know. Both Jonathan and I loved you both so very much. When we dropped in Uncle Alan and Jonathan used to talk shop about anything philosophical, mechanical, electrical, anything, they went outside and looked at the car and we went out and looked at your flowers and garden bed, which by the way was always immaculate. Then we went inside and just sat chating about what was happening health wise, talking about what your family and Grandchildren were doing and anything else that was on our minds and hearts over a cuppa. I only spoke with just before you went in for your op and obviously I knew you werent feeling at all well and the op was serious. When you woke up I was so happy but obviously it was God's timing for your exit from this world and I am deeply touched that you are no longer suffering and are in a much better place.
You reminded me so much of Grandad with your personality being that of a quietly contented woman but always up for a giggle on the side with your great sense of humour. You have left behind a wonderful legacy Aunty Joan and that is your incredibly deep love of family and friends, encouragement to anyone who need it, even if it was someone you didnt really know, always making each one of us feeling valued and loved in the family as someone extra special, great hospitality even when you were on your way out; you so often changed your plans when we popped in, you were one amazing gentle loving lady who was so special to so many. Individually I will miss you so very much.
Carleen Durand ( 31 May 2014 )
