BIGSTONE Diana Margaret (nee Young). Passed away on May 1^st, 2017 at Camrose, Alberta.  Left to cherish her memory are her children Jason (Billie) Young, of Lethbridge, Tania Bigstone  (Andrew Morse) of Halifax, grandchildren Ryerson and Noah Young, and sister Christine (Noel) Johnson of Ashburton.  A very dear cousin and friend to many.  A Graveside Memorial Service for Diana will be held at the Ashburton Cemetery, on Wednesday May 31^st, commencing at 12 Noon.

WOLFREYS Doreen, on May 24, 2017 passed away peacefully at Tuarangi Home, Ashburton. Aged 87 years. Dearly loved eldest daughter of the late Arthur and Rita and loving sister and sister in law of Arthur (deceased) and Wilma, Jean and the late Maurice, Bill (deceased) and Colleen and Barbara and Vince. Messages to 57 Thomson Street, Ashburton 7700. A very special thank you to the wonderful and caring staff at Tuarangi Rest Home for their love and care of Doreen. At Doreen’s request a private funeral service has been held.

VAN LEEUWARDEN Kees, on May 22, 2017, at Ashburton. Aged 85 years. Colleen’s beloved husband and best friend of 60 years. Loved father and father in law to Mark and Ansley and  Lynda and Paul. Precious Poppa to Charlotte, Ben, Justin, and Amy. Great Poppa to Eli and Theodore. Loved brother of Joop and Trudi. Cherished uncle and great uncle to his nieces and nephews worldwide. Messages to Van Leeuwarden family, P O Box 472, Ashburton 7740. In lieu of flowers donations to the Neurological Foundation would be appreciated and may be left at the service. Special thanks for the exceptional care and kindness shown by the staff of Rosebank and Radius Millstream Resthomes. A Mass to celebrate Kees’ life will be held at the Church of the Holy Name, Sealy Street, Ashburton on Tuesday May 30, commencing at 2.00pm. Followed by private cremation.

FORDE Maureen Frances, on May 19, 2017 at Ashburton. Aged 86 years. Loved daughter of the late Michael and Julia, Sister to Kathleen, and the late Mary (Pat), Leslie, Noel, Bernie, Jack, and Patricia. Precious Aunt and great Aunt of all her nieces and nephews. Messages to P O Box 472, Ashburton 7740. Donations to Ashburton Palliative Care would be appreciated and may be left at the service. A Requiem Mass to celebrate the life of Maureen will be held at the Church of the Holy Name, Sealy Street, Ashburton on Thursday May 25, commencing at 11.00am. Followed by interment at the Ashburton New Lawn Cemetery. Recitation of the Rosary will be held at the Church on Wednesday evening at 7.00pm

WOODROW Betty White, 22/10/27 – 3/5/17 It is with much sadness we announce the passing of our wonderful mother Betty. Much loved wife of the late Murray and loving mother and mother in mother in law of Peter and Carolyn, Nicky and Geoff, Sally-Ann and Glen. Adored Nana of Emma, Olivia, and Lewis. Loved great Nana of Grace, Noah, Harry, and Brooklynn. Messages to Woodrow Family, C/- P O Box 33352, Barrington, Christchurch 8244. A special thank you to all the staff at Nazareth Care for their compassion, love and respect for Betty and family. A service for Betty will be held at All Saints Church, Chapman Street, Methven on Tuesday May 9, commencing at 11.00am. Followed by private cremation at the Ashburton Crematorium.

MCLEOD Millicent Vernon, (Vern) (nee Cunliffe) on May 2, 2017, peacefully at Rosebank Rest Home, Ashburton, in her 99th year. Dearly loved wife of the late Gordon. Treasured Mother and mother-in-law of Graeme  and Barbara, (Invercargill) Don and Denise, (Ashburton) Alan and Tania, (Manapouri) and Marg and Richard (Wellington).  Loved friend of Lesley, Elizabeth, and Rhian. Cherished Nana Vern of Iain and Robert (China) Liam and Rachel (Christchurch) Michael (Dunedin) Katie and Vendi (Oamaru) Erin and Shaun, Hannah and Duncan (Invercargill) Matthew and Sarah (London) Jono (Dunedin) and loved great grandmother of Lukas, Lola, and Caleb. Messages to McLeod Family P O Box 472 Ashburton 7740 or email to donandden@hotmail.com. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Community House, at the service or direct to Community House, Cass Street Ashburton.  Special thanks to the management, staff and residents of Rosebank for their loving care of and friendship with Vern.

“Rarangi maunga, tu tonu, tu tonu,

Rarangi tangata, ngaro noa, ngaro noa.”

(You have gone, but your mountain is everlasting.)

A celebration of Vern’s life will be held at Our Chapel, Cnr East and Cox Streets, Ashburton on Saturday May 6 commencing at 1.30pm, followed by interment at the Ashburton New Lawn Cemetery.

O’CONNOR Alan Russell, (Bill) suddenly at home on May 2, 2017. Aged 81 years. Husband of the late Vivienne. Father, father in law, grandfather, and great grandfather. Messages to 9 Church Street, Ashburton 7700. At Bill’s request a private cremation will be held.

IRVINE Albert Houston, (Albie)  passed away peacefully on May 1, 2017 at Rosebank Hospital, Ashburton. Dearly loved and cherished husband of Barbara for almost 62 years. Dearly loved and respected father and father in law of Roger and Barbara, (Geraldine) Jennifer Baylis, (Oamaru) and Nicola Anderson, (Rangiora) Barry Baylis, and Hamish Anderson. Special Grandfather to Geoff and Matt Irvine, Jason and Holly Baylis, Guy, Todd, Max and Jessica Anderson and loved great Grandfather of Cayden, Tayah and Beau Dungey. Messages to Irvine Family, P O Box 472, Ashburton 7740. Special thanks to Rosebank Hospital, Ashburton Hospital wards 1 and 6 and the Park Street Day Centre for all their care. Donations in remembrance of Albert would be appreciated and can be made to the Ashburton Cancer Society. A private funeral for Albert will be held.

CUTHILL: Margaret Louise, 29/4/1941  –  29/4/017.  Passed away peacefully with her family by her side.  Dearly loved wife of the late Maurice.  Much loved mother and mother in law of Kim and Severn Smith, Tracey and Kevin Clemens, Janeen and the late Paul Keating, and Jodie Cuthill and Richard Wellman. Adored Gran of Samantha and Kerian, Natasha, and Shannon; Kristina and Tom, Louise and Jack; Ashlee and Jaron; and Cobie.  Messages to the Cuthill family c/- P O Box 472, Ashburton 7740.  A the family’s request a private service will be held.

CHISNALL: Mavis Jessie, on April 29, 2017.  Passed away peacefully at Ashburton, aged 86 years.  Loved wife of the late Lionel.  Loved mother and mother in law of Jenny and Warren Janett, Leonie and Patrick Opoka, Angela and Phil Gibson, Grant and Heather, and Nicola Chisnall- Smith and Peter Smith.  Loved Nan of the late Gareth Bray, Lucy Bray and Danny Brown (Cairns); Bradley, and Bryce Chisnall;  Thomas, and Matthew Smith.  Messages to the Chisnall family c/- P O Box 472, Ashburton 7740.  A service to celebrate Mavis’ life will be held at Our Chapel, cnr East and Cox Street, Ashburton on Wednesday May 3^rd, commencing at 11.00am.  Followed by interment at the Ashburton New Lawn Cemetery.