Maureen GATENBY Obituary

So sorry to hear that Maureen has passed away. My New Zealand mum who has visited me and my family in so many places around the globe. So sad that we didn´t manage to see her one more time. Our deepest sympathies to Maurice, Colleen, Ronald and Naomi with families.

Our belated sympathy and condolences to Maurice and Colleen Naomi and Ronald.
Sorry unable to be In New Plymouth today for the memorial service.
Thinking of you all.
From Lorraine and Graham(Veterinary School classmate and friend)

As Rhona says , 2nd year flatting and vet studies in Palmerston North with Maureen was such a fun year. Life was never boring!
Maureen´s lectures saw her knitting in the back row and occasionally putting the needles down to take notes. Her memory and skills were beyond normal!
After graduation we both headed off to Taranaki where she stayed and of course met Maurice some years later and settled down as a dairy farmer `s wife.
Throughout her life she never ceased to take on something new. In Taranaki, She was vet, dairy farmer, ambulance driver, accountant, advocate for many, plus wife, mother to her own and 13 exchange students, as well as being a keen sportswoman through her life. She and Maurice travelled too, visiting their "family" abroad , following sports teams, and watching wildlife.
She had an enormous range of friends , and kept in touch despite the challenges of life.
Thankyou Maureen , for being such a good friend . Au revoir , until we meet again!
Ginny
From the class of ´71.

Maureen, what fun we had during our Vet school years and later was great to work with you when you locumed with us when i was practising in nelson and was always great to see you at reunions or for a catch up and a "goss" when you were passing through. FFond memories of our flat in 2nd year Vet and us all piling into your little ole car squashing in to get to lectures on time. Then there was the bath race in Int. year when we tipped out into the lagoon and you banged your head. And the BarB grogs. Remember the pony stallion all us girls had to pull Down with ropes at the request of a certain lecturere, Ginny and Gee would remember. Rest easy my friend and keep on knitting.

My memories of Maureen go back to Massey before 1970 when she coached our class rugby team. She was a force to be reckoned with back then as well! She will be greatly missed by all the class of '71.

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Maureen's Cockatoo Pepe

Sister Maureen challenged me from the time she was born, being the second child for Barbara and Clarrie Olsen in Tokoroa. She wanted to play with my dolls, etc., and I had to learn to share. She challenged Mum's health right from the beginning. The family grew to 4 with another on the way when we moved to Whitianga in 1954. Maureen went to Henderson High School in Auckland and grew to be a very smart young woman. Maureen's claim to fame was she had visited me every decade in Canada and this was my 10th trip back to NZ to see the families as they have grown over the Years. Her life was cut short suddenly on Tuesday morning April 4th at 4 am. She was booked to meet us in NZ Easter Friday for School holidays. Sadly she never made it home again to NZ.

Dear Maurice, Colleen, Ronald and Naomi.
We are so saddened by the news of your amazing Mums passing. We remember her dearly in our early farming days in Awatuna, I´m not sure we would have made it without her very helpful and friendly advice..... so we are forever grateful. Her friendship ever since has been wonderful and we have always enjoyed the catch-ups whenever she was back in NZ and of course when we came to visit in Tasmania. She certainly was a very special person, hang on to all those special memories you all made. Love from us both, Maree and Andy xx

Farewell Maureen, my partner over many years on the ambulance service in Opunake, i learnt heaps from working with you, used to love telling the patients your be okay as we have a vet on board.
Many a topic chewed over and sorted on the return trips home.
Fond memories of a very capable caring woman.
Condolences to my other ambulance driver, Maurice, and family & grandchildren.
R I P

Bernard and margaret Mullin

Such a shock to hear of Maureen´s passing, our sincerest sympathies to you all. Every community needs a Maureen, her heart was always in the right place.
Much love to you all from our family.

Dear Maurice Colleen Ronald Naomi and families Our sincere sympathy for Maureen´s sudden passing Her strength of character will be missed by all who knew her far and wide
Gordon and Val

We are sorry to hear about Maureen and send lots of love. The Ralph family.

So sorry for your loss of Maureen - she was a talented lady and a valued friend to Heather and Ray - love Grant and Megan Crawshaw

It is with much sadness that we say farewell to Maureen. Condolences to Maurice, Colleen, Ronald, Naomi and your families. May your love for each other get you through this sad time. You have great memories of a wife & mother so I´m sure you will get comfort from them. Maureen´s sudden departure will be felt by many families and friends. Fly high Sis! Till we meet again. Love June, Bob & family

It was a shock to read of Maureen's passing. Sending condolences to Maurice and family. Maureen was a great community member of the Opunake district and will be remembered by many.

As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.

With much love in the loss of my dear Sister Maureen. I will miss you

Deepest Sympathy to Maurice and family .Great Memories of Maureen. Sandra and Ian Upson

We were shocked and saddened to hear that Maureen has passed away. Such an indomitable spirit!
Our deepest sympathy Maurice. Colleen, Ronald and Naomi and all your families

Thinking of you in this sad time. I new Maureen back at Massey when she worked on the old PABX in Pink Hostel. She was amazing as a vet student and as a friend to the Davies family Of Linton Street.

Ron, Colleen - passing on our deepest condolences and thinking of you, your father, and your families at this sad time. Greg, Kate and Rae Paynter

Deepest condolences to you all..lots of fond memories with Maureen ..
Deepest regards.
George Kidney and family..

Our condolences to you & your family Maurice
David has memories of sharing time both on waimate west demo farm plus council with Maureen

Our deepest sympathy to Maurice and family. Thinking of you at this sad time.
Terry and Dorothy Hughes

My son Joshua Vincent .. was just remembering the wonderful care Maureen gave him in the Ambulance, when he burnt his arm with boiling water. He sends his love

Uncle Maurice, Colleen, Ronald, Naomi and families, our deepest condolences on this sad news. Maureen was an incredible woman and an inspiration as to what one person can achieve if they just have the passion. Sending you our love at this very difficult time.
-Jill, Wayne, Maddy & Charlotte

Uncle Maurice, Colleen,Ronald and Naomi....so very sad to hear of Maureen's passing.
Our thoughts and deepest sympathy are with you all xx

Thinking of you all at this sad time with the passing of Maureen. We had some interesting times with her over the years with events for St John
Ruth and Doug Ashby

Maureen will certainly be missed by all who knew her. There never was a dull moment when she was around. A great achiever in her own life. We met when she started work in NP with Roger Dunnett & we have been friends since. Grant & I send our condolences to Maurice, Colleen, Ronald & Naomi. A great lady to have had in our lives.

Deepest sympathy to Maurice and family.
Kindest Regards
Shane and Cathy Ardern

Our heartfelt condolences to the Gatenby family... Maureen was a wonderful member of the Opunake community and will always be remembered.
Samantha Smith and family

Our sincere condolences to the Gatenby family. Maureen will always be remembered as a wonderful part of Opunake.
Denise and Beau