Kingston in Germany and Aunty Ruby growing up - 13 August 2006

From: mrsbsrooma11  (Original Message)

Sent: 13/08/2006 3:38 p.m.

6 August: The weather has been appalling within the north and Coromandel area.  Our section has been inundated.  We spoke to Kingi, tonight, Sunday, and he said that the weather in Gera, Germany is also pouring down.  The parachute competition, due to start today, but it has been postponed.  A very nice surprise email came today from Carol and Terry Harper.  Terry's grandmother, Elizabeth Fenton, is the sister of our Pop Fenton (Eugene/Hughie).  Terry and his wife Carol live in Glenfield.  Terry told me that he used to play rugby against both Danny and Ronnie.  Terry can remember going to Waitara circa 1952 and going up to Pop and speaking to him thinking that he was his own father.  The point of it was that Pop's resemblance was so much like that of Terry's own father. Carol has a strong interest in geneaology and I hope that she can get to grips with the names of Pop's grandparents. Using www.skype.com we have been having fun and games talking with Roger/Sherrie/Rangi from Upland, California, visiting Darryn and Julie in Surrey, England.  Roger and Sherrie have been walking the calf muscles off Rangi as they have scoped out the tourist sights in London.  They started off yesterday's journey with a first-class compartment ride from woking up to Waterloo station.  Lucky b..., people, I mean. Hi Everyone,  2/08/06 Back home one week after another trip to “Taranaki,” (for the wrong reasons of course, or the right reasons.)  Having heard that Aunty Ruby had passed away on the 22/07/06.I immediately made arrangements and headed down to Waitara.  Arrived by bus and picked up by cousin’s Hugh and Brian Taylor.  Stayed at Hughie’s place until heading back to Red Beach.  On Tuesday 25th July we attended the Chapel Service at New Plymouth, which was packed.  People were standing in the foyer and outside in the car park.  During the Chapel Service there was Family Tributes, Clergy Tributes and open Tributes and when one listened to the speakers, there was no doubt in anyone’s mind what a “Wonderful,” lady she was. Prior to the service I had been approached by a number of Aunty Ruby’s mokopuna (on Nanna and Pop’s side of the Family) to say a few words on their behalf.  I agreed provided that they backed me up.  When the appropriate time arrived we went to the front of the Chapel .We, being Aunty Mona, Hugh, Brian, Kerry and Lynn Taylor.  Jackie Sheehy, Laura Snooks, Dennis Patuwairua, Val Lodge.(if I’ve missed any of you - please let me know)  After acknowledging Aunty Ruby’s Family, Loved Ones and Friends, I quoted (on behalf of us all), from the Bible, “Galatians 5,” a short passage regarding The Fruits of The Spirit.  How Aunty meant and looked to each of us and somehow always portrayed, Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self- Control. These were assets that many people do not have.  However Aunty Ruby had them all.  After the Chapel Service we went to the Burial Service at Waitara. Again many Tributes and some wonderful singing and hymns along side the grave farewelled Aunty Ruby.As I had stated at the beginning going to Waitara for Funerals seems to be for the wrong reasons. Yet having been there to Farewell our Aunty, it does seem right. Danny Fenton Poroporoaki - for Aunty Ruby Fenton, nee Mitchell Aunty Ruby, wife of Uncle Tui Fenton (Roy Kerry), passed away on 22 July 2006, at Taranaki Base Hospital, New Plymouth.  Our aroha goes to our Aunty and to her whanau.  Here is are a few words from a korero between Aunty Ruby and Aunty Mona ... "I worked for Nurse Elliott as a 16 year old, with three others, cooking and washing were our chores, and milking the single cow.  As I worked in Waitara, Owae was nearby and I could go there for dances; other entertainment was the pictures. My first boyfriend became my husband and we farmed on my mother's land at Oanui and we had four girls and two boys.  I helped on the farm but I never learnt to drive."