To you Karen and Phil, I offer my sincere condolences in the death of Sandra, your mother and mother-in-law. For many years I wanted to meet my Yakas cousins so in 1993 I travelled to Dargaville and was so beautifully welcomed by Ivan, Judy, Tony, Dulcie, Joe, Hannah, Philip,Valerie, Connie ,Jim's wife (Jim died some weeks before I arrived),Mary, Rosalie and, of course, dear Sandra. I am the niece of your great-granny Kata Yakas nee Batistic. Teta Kata was my Dad, Ivan Batistic's sister. I was lucky enough to meet great-granny and great- granddad when they visited my Dad in 1964 in Blacktown, NSW, Australia. Since my 1993 visit, Sandra and I kept in constant touch, either by phone or email and she regaled me with her lovely lunches. Sandra was such a people person. She knew all about social cohesion and reaching out to people. Some years ago, I visited her when she was living at Royal Oak. Phil, your eulogy was extremely well delivered and I am so happy that you included Sandra'a Croatian heritage. I loved the Requiem Mass and as I sat here in my little home office, I answered Father just as if I was there. I thank Raewyn, Jim's daughter, who informed me of Sandra's passing. For me Sandra was a lovely and unforgettable second Cousin. I have only positive and loving thoughts of her. Sincerely Patricia Batistic.

Condolences from old friends Lynn Douglas and Heather Piper(prev Nepia)