Funeral Notices

AMALFITANO Ysobel Raphaela.

Ysobel died peacefully at 10.30am on Saturday 13 September 2025, at Ashburton Hospital, aged 86yrs.  Dearly loved companion of Nelson. Loved mother & mother in law of Christine, Ray & Sue, Kelvin, Maggie, Stoyle & Katrina, Piri & Lana & Rachael and loved Nanna and great Nanna of her many grandchildren. ‘Resting in Gods arms’. Messages to the Amalfitano family, 81 Winter Street, Ashburton 7700. A Requiem Mass to celebrate Ysobel’s life will be held at the Church of the Holy Name, Sealy Street, Ashburton on Thursday 18 September commencing at 11.00am, followed by interment at the Ashburton New Lawn Cemetery.

BOAG Helen Margaret,

On September 9, 2025, peacefully at Christchurch, aged 85 years.  Dearly loved wife of the late Harold.  Much loved mother and mother in law of David and Karen, Mark and Julie, and Anita.  Loved ‘Mammy’ of  Tim and Holly, James and Maddie, Todd and Mikelle, Josh and Rose, Libby and John, and Tom and Amber. Loved  great-grandmother of Mckenzie, Carter, Daisy, Fletcher, and Monty.  Messages to the Boag family P O Box 472, Ashburton 7740.  A service to celebrate Helen’s life will be held at the family home, 1331 Dromore Hatfield Road, Ashburton on Monday September 15, commencing at 1.30pm, followed by interment at the Rakaia Cemetery.

WILSON Ernest Charles

Peacefully at Christchurch hospital on September 5, 2025, aged 84 years. Loved dad of Murray, John, Phillip and Craig. Loved Father in Law of Katherine, Denese and Amanda. Much loved and cherished grandparent of Robert, Benjamin, Rebecca, Charlotte, Jack and Leigh. Forever remembered for his Elvis songs and karaoke nights. In accordance with family wishes a private service will be held. Messages to the Wilson family can be sent to 102 Grove Street, Ashburton. Always on our minds and forever in our hearts.

COETZEE Bentley Moses,

On September 5 2025, aged 13 years. Treasured baby boy of Wally and Talei Coetzee. Annoying big brother to Sophie, Lilith, Freya and Anya Coetzee. Absolutely wild about Harlow Wilding. Deeply loved grandson, nephew and cousin. Loyal friend to so many. Messages to the Coetzee family may be sent to PO Box 472, Ashburton, 7740. A celebration of Bentley’s life will be held on Saturday, September 13 at the Rakaia Community Centre, commencing at 11:00 followed by private cremation. Our Beautiful Boy, our Lovable Rogue taken far too soon – you touched so many and will forever be missed”

CUMMING Maureen Thelma

Thelma died peacefully on Wednesday September 3, 2025, aged 94 years, at Coldstream Lifecare, Ashburton.  Dearly treasured and loved wife of Rod for 74 years.  Cherished mother and mother in law of Bob and Mary (Temuka), and Paul and Vanessa (Geraldine). Loved Nan of Sarah and Sarah (Nelson), David and Katie (London), Charlotte and Jackson (Geraldine).  Great-Nan of Claire and Oliver (both dec), Ella, and Emilia; and Sabina. Messages to the Cumming family P O Box 472, Ashburton 7740. The family extends their deep appreciation for the support given by Dr Wootton and Dr Holdaway, ACCESS staff and Allenton Pharmacy.  The staff at Coldstream Lifecare deserve a special thanks for their on-going daily support and compassion for Thelma during her time in Coldstream. At Thelma’s request a private funeral has been held.

IRELAND Gerard Donald (Gerry)

on September 2, 2025, peacefully at Rosebank Lifecare, Ashburton, Aged 81 years. Dearly loved son of the late Ray and Grace Ireland of Methven. Respected friend to the Ireland and Morgan families. Special thanks to the management and staff at Rosebank for their care of Gerry over the past 6 years. Messages to Gerry’s family P.O. Box 472, Ashburton 7740. A celebration of Gerry’s life will be held on Monday September 8 at the All Saints Anglican Church, 2 Chapman Street, Methven, commencing at 1:30pm followed by an Interment at the Methven Cemetery.

WOOTTON Ronald (Ron) William CBE

On 1/9/25 peacefully at Ashburton Hospital aged 94 years. Much loved husband of Jill for 71 years. Loved father and father-in-law of Debbie and Martin, and Malcolm and Sherry. Greatly beloved grandfather (Dee) of Ben and Sarah, Mandy and Josh, Sam and Marlon, Kate and Adam, Sarah and Simon, and Alex and great-grandfather of Anthony and Daniel. The Wootton family would like to thank Amanda Van Asperen and the staff at Terrace View and Ashburton Hospital for their excellent care of Ron and his family during his final illness. Messages to the Wootton Family PO Box 472, Ashburton 7740. In accordance with Ron’s wishes a private family service has been held.

HEATH James Joseph Wallace

7.1.1939 – 31.8.2025. Jim passed away peacefully on Sunday, 31 August 2025, surrounded by his devoted family. In loving memory of a dearly loved husband and best friend to Ida. Amazing loving and respected dad to Tom, Maria and Sally. Wonderful father-in-law to Ray, Lis and Nathan. And the most amazing and adored grandfather of Josiah, Jordan, Matthias, April, Israel, Jackson, Micah, Kashana, Nia-Rose, Kavell and great grandchildren Haylen and Keziah Messages to the Heath family, P O Box 472, Ashburton 7740. He was a man of great strength, integrity, and unwavering faith in God. To his family and friends, he was a source of wisdom, encouragement, and unconditional love. His godly character and servant heart have left a lasting legacy that we will always treasure. We give thanks for his extraordinary life and the blessing he was to all who knew him.  A Celebration of Jim’s life will be held at the Hotel Ashburton, Racecourse Road, on Thursday September 4, commencing at 1.00pm, followed by interment at the Ashburton Seafield Lawn Cemetery.

BISHELL George Edward

(formerly of Marlborough), on August 31, 2025, at Ashburton, aged 91 years.  Loved husband of Patricia (Pat). Father and father in law of Warwick and the late Sheryl , Stuart and Suzanne, and Philippa and Andrew Holdaway.  Loved Grandy of Nigel, Michelle, Adam, Laura, Morag, Callum, and their partners, and a loved great-Grandy of Harry, Charlie, Oliver, Natasha, and Ziggy. Messages to the Bishell family, P O Box 472, Ashburton 7740.  In keeping with George’s wishes a private family service has been held.

POPE Helen Henrietta (MNZM)

On August 30, 2025, passed away peacefully at Radius Millstream, Ashburton. Aged 90 years. Wife of the late Mick and mother of Mark, and Brent. Cherished friend of Dominic. Deeply loved sister and sister -in law of Lynn and Gerard Smith and the late Denis and Denise Nyhan. Beloved Aunty and aunty in law of Kim and Leon, Margo and Pete, Justin and Linda and Michaela and Stephen. Respected Aunty to her late Mick’s nieces and nephews. Very special thanks and warmth to the kindness of the staff at Radius Millstream. Messages to the Pope Family, P O Box 472, Ashburton 7740. A Requiem Mass celebrating Helen’s life will be held at the Church of the Holy Name, Sealy Street, Ashburton on Monday September 8th, commencing at 11.00am. Followed by private cremation at the Ashburton Crematorium.