Aunty Shirley played a huge role in bothmine and my family’s lives when we were growing up, and was the Patriarch ofour wider family, especially for the Brown family. I remember when I was young,every school holidays we would load up the car for the big 2 hour trip fromFoxton to Hawera to stay with Aunty Shirley at 48 Puriri Street it became likea second home away from home. My older brother Chris was AuntyShirl’s favourite nephew, however I think that I was up there in her favouritestakes until I was around 12 year’s old when Mum and Dad thought it would be agood idea to buy me my first air rifle for Xmas. I sort of morphed in SylvesterStallone from the movie Rambo, and shot up her whole back yard including herbeloved peg basket. She never let me forget that even 75 years later, she had suchan amazing memory. Not only did Aunty Shirley have agreat memory, but she was also referred to as “Shirley Sharp Eyes” as I swearshe had eyes in the back of her head and always knew what was going on especiallywhen you were begin naughty. Yep, I wasthe naughty one in the family and she seemed to be able to magically appear outof nowhere to catch me in the act. As Shirley was an amazing cook and baker I can’tcount the number of times she caught me sneaking into her biscuit tins afterdinner for a sugary snack. Aunty Shirley was an amazing, strong, hardworking,loving woman with the biggest heart. She would literally give anyone the shirtoff her own back which is why she tirelessly volunteered for all of those yearsin the Hawera community. These attributes would be why all of her grandkidscall her “Super Gran” as she set that benchmark with all of these positivecharacteristics that we all strive for, she will be greatly missed. I also want to pass my condolencesonto my Uncle Mac, who’s also lost this amazing woman who happened to be hiswife. My thoughts are with you too Uncle Mac.

Sorry to hear of Shirley's passing. Regret not being able to share the day with you all but we offer Bernie and Kevin and families our sincere condolences. Cousin Shirley was a lovely lady. Regards Judy

Our deepest sympaty to Mac and family on the passing of Shirley

Your door was always wide open. Thank you for listening. Florence

Shirley was number one of the 24 grandchildren of John Edward and Maria Rodgers- the "cuzzies" who spent many Sunday afternoons together at Granny's on Hine Street, New Plymouth. Her Uncle Ted (my Father) was very involved during her life, and together with Jean and with me in tow, we visited South Taranaki and her family with Bernie Searle often. Shirley was a strong character, tough some would say, who dealt with much adversity during her long life but she remained cheerful, full of humour and laughter taking the edge off her teasing nature. I feel privileged to have known such a strong woman all my life.