Barbara JAMIESON Obituary

Bev. Shepherd Wright
Friend and Past Staff Member at Orana Park Wildlife Trust
[email protected]
0274342486

Dear family,
It is only a few days since I saw Barbara - enjoying your outing to Ethel and Bethel at Rymans in Rangiora, on 22nd September.
It was only a fleeting catch up, with a promise to have a proper one before Xmas.
What a shock - today to read about your death in the Press.
Can you please read this out at the service.
We had spent many years weaving in and out of each other´s lives, none more so than the many years, you and Keith volunteered at Orana Park. What happy years they were.
Keith out there banging and fixing all manner of things and you (never going to speak to the public) to then find you suddenly standing on the Giraffe Platform telling the world about Giraffes.
Then going onto talk to school children and many other groups about your favorite animals and their surroundings. For me, it was one of the most delicious times in my life, to see you and other volunteers blossom into new confident souls, ready to share your knowledge with visitors.
From being shy, unsure volunteer to being knowledge guide showing people around answering questions and even more so, becoming so involved that you felt the Park was part of your DNA and you had an obligation to share all your knowledge with others. I can´t remember how many hours you gave to the Park, in a voluntary capacity, but it in the thousands. What a great contribution you made.
As your Captain at the time, you made my life easy. Such a welcoming and knowledgeable group the spread the word and made the public sit up and realize what a very rich asset they had on their doorstep. I loved watching you tell others about your favorite animals - Never going to talk - Really!
Your darling Keith, who said, he was not going to do too much, but then would turn and tell you day after day, he was just going out to the Farm!. That´s how he viewed the Park, and he was so proud of all he could do for the Park, we owe him a great deal of gratitude.
In later years, we enjoyed the company of the other senior Volunteers in a social sense and of course as another part of my life now, I was able to help you move from your home in Sawyers Arms Road into Ngaio Marsh, where I know you spent many happy years.
To the family, I want to say, it was my absolute pleasure for me to know, Barbara and Keith, they gave willingly of themselves, and I am not sure how many baby blankets Barbara has made but it must be thousands and the world will be poorer without your contribution.
May you rest in peace, my special friend. I am so glad I saw you in September. It was my last chance to give you a hug. I will miss you.

A delightful lady, who did so much for so many. Rest in Peace Barbara, your work here is done, join Keith and fly with the angels.

Memories are so special. And in April. Charlotte took me to catch up with Aunty Barbara. We had such a lovely time. And took lots of photos. Thinking of you all at this sad time.
Raywin

Our thoughts are with you all. Had such a lovely visit last time we were down. Averil & Stephen.

My condolences to all the family. I was pleased to be able to catch up with her last year - that school reunion will be just one of the many memories of her you will be able to look back on. Thinking of you all.