2--4 April Iceskating with Eugene, farewell to Brenda

From: Margret

Sent: 29/04/2004 11:44 p.m.

29 April 2004 Welcome to Keegan who has finally let me know his secret identity.  Keegan, your message to the board showed up all of the commands when you pasted it onto the website message.  Have a look at the message below 'Jackie in brisbane' and see what occurs.  I think you'll want to show me how you can do it.  Welcome to Jan.  Nana Fenton's second eldest brother was Horatio Adlam, and our newest whanau member is his granddaughter.  Jan is eldest daughter of Maxine and Keith, and their whakapapa is in the Adlam book.  Jan's maternal aunts and uncles were brought up in vicinity of Motunui asNana Fenton was, and where she/they went to the local school.  I have asked Jan if she could furnish stories or details of 'life on the farm' for Nana and her brothers and sisters.  Jan is searching for information on Rona Minarapa and I hope that we can share what we know.  One of Nana's nieces, Dolly Adlam, who is Jan's maternal aunt, died a day after Brenda. WASSUP!  NOTE THAT MARI'S 70TH BIRTHDAY IS ON 1ST MAY 21st Birthday for Adam Patuwairua in the Big Country; his mum, Irene, is there to celebrate with him.  Photo shows him with brother Tony and Mum and Dad, Dennis and Irene.   Happy 13th birthday to Rangi in California, 18th April.  Welcome to Julie A Farewell to Brenda - Changing wakas   - Brenda's funeral service was held in the Devon Street Chapel of Abraham's, in New Plymouth at 2pm on Tuesday.  The previous two evenings there had been a church service and korero at her Mum and Dad's home in New Plymouth.  The funeral service continued in the Waitara Cemetery where the family said that she would be near Uncle Tui and, perhaps, they could play doubles in tennis.

Aunty Ruby, Paul  and Vanessa, and their homestay friend Micho, were supported by several cousins in the chapel who spoke about their love for Brenda and told of their memories of her and in stayng with Aunty Ruby and Uncle Tui.  Of the Fenton whanau there were  at the funeral: Rosalie, and Jim and their children' Karl, Melissa, Verban and Marlon -  (Rose came up from Picton in the previous week); Gloria, Arthur  and their son Adrian and his family, including very newly-born baby; Neville and Pauline their children Kelly her brother Christian and his partner, Eugene's with his partner and her son - it won't be long to Eugene's daughter April's birthday, she was at the funeral with Mum, Anne; Vera and Shane, their children and son Matthew's daughter Azaria and her Mum; Dennis and Irene; Margret and Richard; Hughie, Bryan and Pam, Laura and her grandson, Danny and Nola, Kerry, Aunty Mona, Val and Malcolm with Courtney and Fraser. 

This morning, 8 April,  Aunty Ruby, with her children present at the North Shore Hospice, farewelled their loved one.  Margret, Richard and Kingston also showed their support in the final farewells to Brenda, too.  Brenda worked as caretaker at the Waitemata Electric Power Board when this photo was taken.  Her husband Paul was a linesman, cousin Danny was a bossman and cousin 'Buck" Taylor was a sparky too.  Brenda celebrated her birthday last Saturday with Paul and daughter Vanessa, and a few days later was Brenda and Paul's wedding anniversary.  Brenda and her cousin Roger pictured.  Brenda gave community service to Home Care for elderly citizens, a volunteer driver for several years for the Cancer Society, generously doing so to help others and, ironically getting the same service when she was diagnosed herself, years later, with breast cancer and brain cancer became a new development .  You should re-read one of the Discussion messages that she wanted told on our website;  she wanted us to know that she had cancer; she wanted it to be a learning point for others.  That, to me, epitomises her strength of character, a battler, a person with drive and a NEVER GIVE UP ATTITUDE.  We heard it said; the litany was 'I'm Going to Beat It!'  She never acquiesced and you could only admire her courage and resilience.

April birthdays - The cousins who are gaining another year  with their birthdays are: BRENDA  AND LYNN who celebrated  3RD April.  Next, we had MICHELLE on 14TH April; LORRAINE will be on the 21ST and JOHANNA on the 24TH.   Courtney Lodge, daughter of Val and Malcolm and April Fenton, daughter of Anne and Eugene will celebrate their birthdays on 30 April and a 21st for Adam, son of Dennis and Irene

On Easter Saturday, we,  Margret and Richard, experienced 10 hours of inline-skate hockey at the Mt Wellington rink where the 2004 Bauer Cup was at stake.  We are now quite knowledgeable about this exciting sport and we met Eugene Crawford, son of Gerald and Rona.   Watch out for #22, the Flying Crawford