Ruth PIRKER Obituary

Dear Georg and family,
We are very sad to hear about Ruth's passing. Our condolence to you all.
Love and best wishes.
Claudio Veronese

Dear Georg and Family - We are sorry to hear of Ruth´s passing.
Please accept our heartfelt Condolences
Committee and Members

Dear Georg and Family,

We are so very sorry for your loss.

And equally sorry that we could not come to farewell Ruth with Willibald.

We had asked Edith Cavell to let us know, but only found out one day too late.

To John and Family,
Please accept my sincerest condolences on the passing of Ruth. I grew up on Kingrove St and was best friends with John and Stephen Howse. I was back home not that long ago and got to have lunch with John and Stephen. The guys had me in fits of laughter reminiscing about our childhood. John told me that his mum wasn´t doing very well, so I´m really sad to hear about her passing. Ruth was always lovely to me and I always loved their house and Ruth´s little bubble red car. I remember the first time Ruth took me for a drive. I´ve often thought about that car over the years. These are just some of the great memories I have from my childhood.
Please know that I am thinking of you all, and I wish I could be there to say goodbye.
Regards
Jo Willemse (Ruston)

Kia ora Uncle Georg, John and Petra. I wanted to send my love and let you know I am thinking of you all as you come to terms with Aunty Ruth's passing. I can't make the celebration of her life so I wanted to send a message. Ruth was such a strong figure in my childhood - a legendary neighbour with poise and unmatched style, a wicked sense of humour, incredibly kind but never afraid to let you know what she thought! She had taste and clothes I could only dream about. At 10 years old, she was the most exotic person I had ever met and she lived just at the back of our property. The Pirkers became an extended part of our Kingrove Street family and provided stability and friendship and good fun over many years, even after we left the nest as kids ourselves to settle on our own lives. They were community before we even knew that was a thing. 'Aunty Ruth and Uncle Georg' as we called them, resided at the back of my parents property during the 70's onwards when you actually had Neighbours you talked to, got to know and grew up with. My younger brother Stephen and John struck up a solid friendship so much so that a small access gate the size of a tiny door on steady springs was cut in the back fence. The boys could run between each other's house rather than go down the alley way, which meant there was heavy traffic through that little door over my childhood, including a persistent magpie that made its way through on a few unplanned occasions. Adults could also go through but always in a squat or kneel position and no one thought to enlarge it as we grew up. I would babysit for the Pirker's and listen to her stories and lucky it was never far to get home if we stayed talking long after they got home. My fondest memories were there was ALWAYS a pot of soup on the stove - it was never empty, an offer of a meal or food no matter the time of day, a reliable listening ear, a bountiful garden that use to be the envy of others and compete with my father's, her endless variety of grapes that she shared despite knowing we had already raided the vines and never once mentioned our stained hands as she sent home bags full of produce. Of course, she had an impressive stockpile of pickles and preserves out in the storage shed which, I always admired. And over the years, we shared milestones and kai and grew up in the community together. The red bubble car was a highlight and jaw stopping in good ole Bishopdale. I'm not sure why I declined her offer to learn to drive in it -she could be insistent at times, I now regret not doing that but it would've been fun, given she could park anywhere with it. Above all she was always warm, smiling, kind and welcoming, no matter when we turned up. If she was ever tired of seeing us, she never said, at least not to me. Those days seem a long time ago but she came from a time where she was loyal and had time for you. She was generous, and funny and she never judged us. She was part of our wider whanau. For that I am very grateful. I always felt welcomed and respected and safe. How lucky were we. Arohanui Aunty Ruth. Deborah Howse xxxxx

Dear Georg - so very sorry to hear of Ruth´s passing had called in to see her on Wednesday so pleased I was able to say goodbye - our thought are with you all at this sad time - all our love and best regards at this time - Judy - Pip JJ and Olivia

Our dearest Georg & family so so sorry to hear of Ruth's passing, sending all our love Kerry, Barry, Renée & Tayla

Dear Georg,so sad the learn of Ruth's passing.My thoughts are with you and your family at this sad time.Pete Sealey.