| From: Margret | Sent: 26/10/2003 10:30 p.m. |
| OUR MUM I would like to take this opportunity to answer a question which Mari and I get asked often. Cousins say to us, ‘we know both Auntie Ruby and Auntie Mona, how come we do not  know Mari’s mother, Auntie Essie? So here is the story of Emma Fenton.EMMA was born at New Plymouth on the 24th October 1913. Emma we always believed was Esma Ena Loveridge, this we found out was not right. Actually registered as Emma Loveridge, she attended West End Primary School, leaving school at 15 years of age as she was required to look after her sick Mother. Mum later started working in Woolworth’s, then later in the Cruickshank’s Café. This was where she met a young bloke who had a motorbike and he lived at Waitara. As you would have worked it out this was John Fenton. The married in 1934 and Mari was born in the old homestead at Rona Road. The family lived there for a while then moved to homes in and around Waitara and New Plymouth. In 1939 Mari started school at Central Primary and John, by this time, had enlisted and went off to the war. Mari and Mum lived in New Plymouth during those war years. On Fridays Mum and Mari would catch the train out to Brixton and walk the rest of the way to Rona Road, where they would stay the weekend. Mum spent many hours with the Ladies of Waitara at the Owae Marae during those War years where they would pack parcels for the Armed Forces Overseas. Nana Fenton, Tuppence, Mum and Mari would walk from the farm down through the paddocks to the marae and walk home again afterwards. When the war finished and John returned home 1945, he had trouble settling down. He had a few different jobs. In 1948 he re-joined the Army and was posted to Wellington. Mum got a job at Adams Bruce, the well-known chocolate company and she worked for them for many years. In 1950 I met Mari. I must tell you this little bit. I picked Mari up. I was walking with my friends around Oriental Bay when there was a crash and a young lady tangled up in her bike was at my feet. I went straight to her aid, untangled her from the bike, picked her up and got her settled. That included putting my hand on her knee while wiping away the gravel from the grazed knee. The young lady thanked me, told me her name and gave me her phone number, (24 866). Fifty-three years later I can still remember that number. A phone call later in the week and it was all systems go. Getting back to Mum, in 1954 John went his own way with a clerk from his office. Mum  was naturally devastated as was Mari. The next year Mari and I married thus leaving Mum on her own. John began taking his partner to Waitara, so Mum and Mari kept away to avoid any embarrassment to all concerned. This is where the drift away from the whanau came about. Even though we went to New Plymouth many times, and I mean many times, we would call and see Nana Fenton. We would also call at the works and see Uncle Hip. Mum never went to Waitara again for many years. In 1959 Mari and I built a home in Wainuiomata. Nana Fenton had tried hard to get us to build on a part of the farm but we stayed in Wellington to be with Mum. We built a fully self-contained unit on the back of our house for Mum and she lived there right through until we came to Australia in 1980. Mum then moved to Naenae and lived there throughout the following years until her last sister passed away thus leaving her on her own. Some five years ago she decided to move to Brisbane and now she lives just around the corner from us. We have a lot to do with her here including taking her grocery shopping every week, taking her to the coffee club that she just loves. She keeps pretty good health and will be 90 years in October this year. We just love having her here with us all. She has her Granddaughter Jo-Ann living just another street away, and her Grandson Stephen lives 20 kilometres away. The great grandchildren are all around this area also, so you see it is “Happy Families” all round. Mum has remained on her own from the time of John’s departure in 1954. In short, John remarried. He passed away in 1969 - his wife remarried again 8 months later. This is a shortened version, but it spells out why Mum is not known to many of the whanau. Mum chose to remain unattached, and as was explained earlier, she kept away from Waitara so as not to cause any embarrassment. It hurt her deeply as she loved her Fenton Family but Mari’s father dealt her a cruel blow. This is why we have all stood by her and we all just love her so much. Mari and Mum both loved Nana Fenton very much. It was in May 2002 after having a long discussion on the family life of the Fenton’s that the “Dream” of making contact with all of Nana Fenton’s (family); Mari has “found” her family again and we promise that we will do all in our power to “Keep The Dream Alive”. Written by Jack McDonald, as told by both Mum and Mari. Korero and Kai. ON the day that the All Blacks played to win their game against Italy, several of the Auckland–based Fenton whanau met at the home of Brenda and Paul Dempsey. The view from the kitchen windows showed up the visual splendour of the Waitemata Harbour, ships plying the harbour and the heights of the City buildings in Auckland. BRENDA, daughter of Uncle Tui and Aunty Ruby, hosted the gathering and we enjoyed korero and kai with her sister Gloria and brother Neville. From the Red Beach area, we greeted Danny, son of Uncle Fred and Aunty Zoë. Bryan, son of Aunty Rita and Uncle Ralph Taylor and his wife Pam, drove from nearby Milford, and the trees at the top of their road could be seen from Brenda’s kitchen window. Gloria told us that from her home she could see the Waitakere Ranges, a glimpse of the Manukau Harbour. Neville, who travelled from Karaka and Margret, daughter of Uncle Hip and Aunty Mona, looped the network from Herald Island to the Glenfield home of Brenda, Paul and their daughter, Vanessa. WE shared lots of laughter, jokes and memories as our morning tea and luncheon ran through the time too quickly. There were explanations about origins of names, allegiances to hapu or iwi, policies of hapu, a plethora of information added to by Gloria speaking about her experiences as a committee member of the Otaraua hapu. Pam and Bryan regaled us with their tramping experiences of the South Island or Coromandel exploits as well as their visit to Victoria and Queensland. The wonderful book written about the 486 squadron in which Uncle Ike was a member was scanned and taken home for Bryan to enjoy. We talked about the placing of the photographic representation of our Fathers in the carved house at Owae, and it was considered that the kaupapa/tikanga or kawa be accepted and that the hanging of the photos would take place in the future. Bryan and Pam are almost Internet users and a lot of teasing went on to get them to make the connection and let Bryan see what the web has to offer on “things Naval”. Margret Brands. From the Editors desk I would really appreciate any help available, if you have anything, a bit of goss, a good joke, what is happening in or around your family, send it to me and we will share it with the Whanau. What about a profile on your life? Come on; don’t be shy. Te Atiawa Iwi Authority (TAIA) is compiling a register of all those who whakapapa to Te Atiawa (Taranaki) and they invite Te Atiawa (Taranaki) descendents to register. Have you registered? If not contact Maria Kingi, (06) 759 8275 or e-mail TAIREG@xtra.co.nz HAS anyone given any thought to following up on the shares issued in the name of Nana Fenton of the Paraninihi-ki-Waitotara Incorporation? This could possibly be beneficial to the young ones especially in education. I am sure Dennis Patuwairua would give guidance on this matter, as you are aware PKW have been issuing scholarships to the proven descendants of the shareholders. Members of the Whanau have already been awardees. Remember, nothing ventured, nothing gained, if you can give assistance to the young ones then someone please follow this up. I really think that we owe this much to Nana Fenton; this should not just be forgotten. Kindest Regards, Jack (editor) Notice Board Neville & Mari @ Neville’s home in Papakura (Feb 2003) Notes & Things: World Champ in action ? Mari, Bryan, Pam and Aunty Es To add your bit or comment on what you are reading, you can: Email jackmari@bigpond.net.au Snail mail 4/271 Lancaster Road, Ascot, Qld. 4007 Australia. Phone (+617) 07 3268 1647 grandchildren evolved. The dream has now become real - |
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