Tricia Irving Hendry
17/05/2010
My first memory of Margaret was preparing a meal when John, you took me home for Sunday lunch along with Bill Nicol. Margaret and Dudley made me feel so welcome in your family home that that day has always been a lovely memory.
Over the years when we met here and there she was always, as ever, warm and friendly, and spoke with such interest and passion about whatever it was that brought us together that day. I always really liked her. She was such a genuine person, whose Christian faith meant something very real - it was authentic and very practical. I am so grateful for knowing her.
In a nutshell, she was a true gem!
With love and support,
Tricia
Nigel Mander
19/01/2010
The DominionPost published an obituary for Margaret on 9 January, a month after she died. It is at http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/national/obituaries/3217294/A-Life-Story-Margaret-Mander
If anyone wants to contact me directly, you can e-mail to Nigel@Random.Org.NZ
Viviana Fon
17/12/2009
I was privileged to get to know Margaret in recent years and her manner and presence clearly witnessed to her deep faith. Margaret was also an inspiration in how she actively lived her faith and worked to make the Good News a reality in the world.
Well done good and faithful servant.
Janet Doyle
17/12/2009
Margaret was the first person I met when I went to St Hilda's Church, Upper Hutt for the first time. She made me feel very welcome that day, and, over the years I was there, kept an eye on my welfare.
She was also very caring to my children and assisted with homework if they needed input from an older person as all their grandparents lived in other cities.
I have some special photos taken with Margaret at the Christ Church, Taita celebrations, where we are dressed up in period costumes.
The world has lost a very fine person. I am sorry I could not be with you but you were all in my thoughts.
Regards
Janet Doyle
Feilding
Stephanie May
15/12/2009
Margaret was a lovely lady. Meeting up with her was always a wonderful experience that brightened up your day, even if you only met her for a few minutes. I can't remember ever seeing her angry. I can remember her smiling. I can remember her being kind, encouraging and beautifully calm.
Stephanie May
steph_m@paradise.net.nz
Beverly Fairfax
15/12/2009
I first knew Margaret and Dudley as colleagues in the ESOL Department of the Correspondence School. What kind, peaceful people they both were.
Later, when my husband and I lived overseas, Margaret very thoughtfully kept us up to date with news from home by regularly sending us those little NZ Newzgrams. She was one of those people who make the world a very much better place and I treasured my contact with her.
My sympathy goes to you, her family, in the loss of a very loving mother and grandmother. She was so proud of you all.
Miriam Tucker
15/12/2009
This is a piece of character writing that I did at school this term. I called it "Grandma is like an Ageing Tree."
When I go visit Grandma her short, grey figure is always waiting to help us carry our bags inside. Her blue eyes twinkling and her soft hands welcoming.
"How was your trip?" is always the first thing out of her mouth.
"Who's up for a game of Rummycub?" Everyone always is. Her wrinkled hand reaches into the box for the first piece.
20 minutes later... "RUMMYCUB!!!" shouts whoever won.
"Well done" Her loving voice with an edge of laughter congratulates the winner.
With ageing bones and wrinkled skin her kindness grows and grows.
Grandma is like an ageing tree because she has the experience of time and the strength of the ages, even if her time on earth has slowly come to it's end. This may be so but I love her.
Barb Lash
14/12/2009
I joined St Aidan's Miramar just after Margaret had left. So we never worshipped together in the same church, but I came to know some people very well that Margaret also knew well. So whenever I met her as part of the wider church, we felt connected. I appreciated being on the mission council of the Wellington Diocese with Margaret and especially her ability to see what we needed to be doing and making sure it got done.
The last conversation I had with her was sitting in the sun outside St Mary's in Whitby at a lay ministry training day when she talked about the early days of her marriage. A happy conversation.
I feel privileged to have known you.
Barb
Brendon Hartwig
13/12/2009
To Nigel, John, Indrea and Bronwyn,
On behalf of Colin & Fay Hartwig, 134 Sale Street, Hokitika, West Coast.
Sorry to hear of Margaret's passing, as our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Our door is always open for you.
Kate Dreaver
12/12/2009
My mother, Con Dreaver, Margaret's cousin. Mum was very fond of her, and Margaret has always been a treasured presence in my life and that of my siblings.
It strikes me that her faith in God was deeply connected to her faith in people. She seemed to be believe that God created us, God is good; therefore, we must be good. It didn't make her naive, but it did mean that she was predisposed to think well of people. It's no wonder that we all responded so warmly!
Maureen de Jong
11/12/2009
Dear Nigel and Bronwyn and Wayne and family,
Your mother was a wonderful inspiration and a visible sign of Christ walking amongst us. We were lucky to have met her and known her for herself (not just as your mother) - through her association with Frederic Wallis House while we were in community there. She was always a grace filled person shining a strong light to others.
Your own witness and expressions of faith are a testament to her faith, commitment and deep following of Christ.
Peace be with you all.
hugs
Martin and Maureen.
(virtual hugs from Steve Dawson as well)
ps Maureen was at the service today but had to leave to pick up kids... we hope to catch up with you before you head back over the strait.
Gerald Dreaver
11/12/2009
Margaret was a cousin of my mother, Constance Dreaver (nee Redward).
My first memory of her is a visit to the Miramar house during a day-trip from our home town, Levin, in the 1970s. I thought the Manders must be pretty tough to survive the Wellington wind. My memory of my brother Mike being blown up into the air by a gale is apparently false.
Later there were visits to the Upper Hutt house, and its impressive array of challenging puzzles and games, a wind-up record player and a stack of 45s (or were they 75s?) - evidence of the rich environment Margaret and Dudley created for their children. Always, warmth, kindness, intelligence, and sometimes that competitive streak that John mentioned today - from the whole family.
There were regular Christmas newsletters, and I came to know Margaret a bit better as an adult through various family events. She always seemed genuinely interested in what I was doing. We enjoyed a waltz or two at the Matthews reunion near Blenheim. I think we were all quietly proud to be related to someone so courageous and effective in living according to her ideals.
Bernd and Angela Wolff
10/12/2009
Dear Nigel and Family
We are very sorry to hear about the loss of Margaret and our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Big clown hugs of comfort and Nigel our door is always open for you.
Angela, Bernd and Lara Wolff
Teresa Homan
10/12/2009
5 Elm Street Upper Hutt
Margaret was a gentle women whose friendly inclusive manner always made me feel comfortable and welcome into her presence. Though we belonged to different Church communities I believe that we were members of the same family of God. I was privileged to know Margaret and will miss her.
I know that this peace filled women will rest in peace.
Teresa Homan
Peace Movement Aotearoa
10/12/2009
Margaret was a long standing and valued member of Peace Movement Aotearoa, although she was best known by peace people in the Wellington area (and elsewhere) for her active involvement in the Anglican Pacifist Fellowship (APF) - in recent times, coming with the APF peace banner to rallies and vigils in response to the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq, and speaking at public events such as the Wellington People's Court in October 2001, see for example her speech there at http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/cra0020.htm
Margaret had a great sense of humour, and an absolute commitment to peace - we will miss her very much, and our thoughts are with her family and friends at this time.
Lisa Beech
10/12/2009
Nga mihi o aroha ki a koutou katoa - lots of love to all Margaret's family, especially Bronwyn and Nigel. I was very sad to hear this news - I know how proud she has been of you all and how much you will miss her.
Although I usually encountered her through friendship with her children, she never failed to have a word of support and encouragement for all the areas of my life, including motherhood, music and all the areas of social justice work we shared.
Her gentle dynamism will continue to inspire and encourage peace work, particularly in her grandchildren and all who knew her.
Arohanui, Lisa
Dorothy Howard
10/12/2009
I came to know Margaret through the AAW (Association of Anglican Women) I always appreciated her enthuiasn for missions, and the way she was able to pass on that enthusiam to all the members she came into contact with, and the way she could stimulate us all into praying for the 'partners in mission'.
As the Belmont Archdeaconry Leader and AAW Chaplain for the Diocese, on behalf of all the groups I would like to assure all the family of their sincere sympathy, thoughts and prayers, at this time of your loss of such a special lady.
May God bless you, uphold you and surround you all with his Peace
Rev'd Dorothy Howard
Jill Harris
10/12/2009
I met Margaret, Dudley, Nigel and John in 1960 in Salatiga, Central Java. We were teaching at Satya Wacana Christian University. They became our family for the next two years and were wonderfully kind and supportive, specially when our first baby, Neil, was born. They steadied me through the culture shock of learning to live in Indonesia. I got through because of them.
Margaret was an extraordinarily steadfast, loyal and thoughtful person. She contributed in many ways to the community, specially through the church and peace movement. She made a real effort to maintain contact over the years with her friends from Indonesia.
We stayed friends, too. I enjoyed her company. Our conversation was wide-ranging and we agreed on most things. I felt she was open-minded - she was interested when I took a different tack on Christianity.
Margaret was a truly good person.
David Small
10/12/2009
I first met Margaret when she was part of an appointments panel for the position of Corso National Education Officer in late 1981. I was the successful applicant and held the job for six years. That position provided me with political experience and exposure to issues of global justice that have had a profound impact on my life. I had ongoing contact with Margaret through the 1980s and always had the greatest respect for her. I appreciate the positive influence she has had on my life and our society, and I offer my sincere condolences to her family.
David Small
James (Jim) Cornish
10/12/2009
Dear Nigel & John & Indrea & Browyn
Greetings - Just to say that we are thinking of you - at this time.
Mum was (is) A Lovely Saintly Lady.
On behalf of us all at Saint Aidan's - please accept and convey our sympathy and love.
Shalom
Judith & Jim & Family
(jcornish@actrix.gen.nz)