Aileen ASPDEN Obituary

You are in every view of the sea, walk in the bush and in the eyes of my children. x

Love you. I wish more than anything you were here.x

At first she was just the girl who lived up the road. She played with my sister Mary and another girl Jean. A few years later I realised that she was a beautiful women. Her mother, exercising her match maker instincts invited me to dinner. She was the first girl I ever kissed! But she was rebellious especially against her mother and by association also me.
Our ways parted. We both went overseas but in opposite directions. Remarkably, in the 1960's we both returned to our former homes. Driving to work one morning I was surprised to see her waiting for the bus at McGoverns Store. We caught up on each others' lives and she excitedly told me she was marrying. The next I heard from her was when she kindly sent a sympathy card on my father's death in 1971.
Somehow our paths didn't cross again until my sister died I 2002. All the little girls, now old ladies, were at the funeral. I didn't recognise Aileen at first, handsome as ever, but we hugged and she talked endlessly and enthusiastically about her family. That was the last time I saw her. I often wondered how she was getting on so it came as a shock to hear on the RNZ news of her unfortunate death.
I remember all these things because she was such an unusual person. Although our interaction was always fleeting I watched her develop from a rebellious teenager to the loving mother.
Please accept my belated sympathy for your loss.
Ross Garrett

Still think of you every day. xx

Aileen was the most wonderful person. Mysterious, naughty, beautiful and clever. She had an amazing brain and love of French cuture. I will love her forever and a day.