Carole Perry Obituary

Another Convention coming up without you here - we still miss you and smile when thinking of you - hope the G & T's flow in Heaven, love to you and Graham forever, xxx Thanks for starting this NZ miniaturing madness for us all... your legacy lives on!!!

Dear Carole, I have only just found out about your passing I am so sorry for not being there for you, you were indeed a lady and a good friend. My thoughts are with your family... although I know you will be watching over them all with love. You and Graham created a wonderful legacy in the family you adored. Till we meet again.... Raewyn

Just thinking about you and Graham, so I have just added this picture of you that Graham loved so much. xxx

I am so saddened at Graham's passing and the loss of his friendship, but I am so elated that he is finally with you and by your side once again Carole ... where he has longed to be since we lost you. Bless you both and my Thanks for the smiles and the times shared - wish they had been more xxx I'm at peace knowing that you are forever together again xxx My condolences to your family, what a wonderful and caring group of people you leave - a legacy to continue on for you for many many years to come...

one year has passed... we still miss you every day, think of you and smile xxx Thank You Carole for all the years of miniaturing, of laughter and of friendship x

Dear Carole
A golden heart stoped beating, hard working hands at rest. God broke our hearts to prove to us, he only takes the best
We were so lucky to have had you in our lives Carole, you taught us so much and we all miss you, especially on club day. It is not the same without your warm smile and happy laughter.

Rest in peace dear friend.

So wish you could be with us all this Saturday - you and Graham have been the 'glue' that bonded us all together from the beginning here at NZAME and it will be an honor to be there and see Graham recognized for his help and dedication. I know you'll be there smiling down on us all and patting him on the back too xxx
we're missing you and your smile, your words, your wisdom, but most of all your friendship x
Hope the angels are behaving for you xxx
ps can you get them up there to stop the shaking down here for Jewel and all the gang please ! ;O) Thanks

Carol was our first contact when we came to New Zealand in 1995. We found her to be very helpful and encouraging and very warm hearted, where nothing was too much trouble. Carol made us feel very welcome and always joked that, as a family, our North Shore subscription was the "bargain of the Century".
Carol will be greatly missed and we will definitely miss her presence at the upcoming Dunedin Convention in 2012.

our memories of Carol, the first time we came to auckland,to take photos for the first Miniaturist NZ calendar, she graciously hosted us in her home and arrange with other miniaturist to lend their work to be photograph. It was a lovely day, one of her work was in the calendar. Later when we move to Auck. i continue talking to Carol at club. Thanks for the memories, Nancy Miller.

COPY OF ALIE WAKELIN'S EULOGY FOR CAROLE - AS READ AT THE FUNERAL ... For those people here today celebrating Carole’s life that don’t know me , my name is Alie Wakelin and I am just one of the many miniaturists that have had the honour of knowing Mrs Carole Anne Perry and calling her a friend.
When thinking about Carole and just what she means and has meant, not only to myself, but to everyone throughout the miniaturing fraternity who’s ever known her … it’s a mammoth task to try and put what Carole means to us all into words and I was daunted at the honour I’d been appointed by Graham and their family. After much deliberation I decided the best way to describe and honour the lady that we all have come to love and respect so much, in the time we have available here today, was by asking just some of her friends, in two words, how they would best describe Carole, who she really was and how their lives have been impacted by this wonderful woman… each set of words that follow is a final farewell and tribute from a grieving friends heart and they Thank You all for allowing them to share these here today…
leading lady, true humanitarian, bubbly wise, friend gatherer, gracious kind, stability teacher, shining light, diplomatic organiser, wonderful ambassador, miniature enthusiast, caring friend, inspirational encourager, second family, willing tutor, talented helpful, gin orange, awesome inspirational, wisdom admired, encourager stimulator, kind friend, bloody nice, encouraging mentor, integrity passion, giving inspirational, quality controller, enthusiastic helpful, inspired practical, gracious clever, gently encouraging, unique person, delightful gracious, mightiest enthusiast … and from Merlin, who has been Carole’s friend for many, many years but is unable to be here today I was advised that Carole Perry simply couldn’t be summed up in just two words … the closest she could get was four words … one in a lifetime ?!

I wrote Carole a poem and presented it to her not long before she passed away, I felt it important she knew just how much we loved her and what she meant to us all . The note at the end read as follows …

A miniaturists most valued, required and indeed treasured item is their 1/12th ruler, without it we run the risk of things being
‘out of scale’ or just not right…
Carole Perry you are indeed NZAME and especially North Shore Miniatures ‘ruler’ … in every sense of the word ?!
I’ve rewritten the last few lines of the poem itself for today, it now reads …

What Carole Perry means to our ‘little’ World…
If you put sandals on Carole - she would bear our cross for us… be our light, our guide and indeed our shining star

If you put an orange robe on her she would sit cross legged, quietly chanting wisdom to us on how to live as one with this Earth,...
to hear her speak people would travel from near and far.

If we were in Britain Carole would sit on an almighty jewelled throne, governing and advising us – sending out a Christmas message of peace, joy, hope...
and on the past year have her say

If in Hollywood Carole would wear a gun, a shiny Sheriff’s badge and advise loudly “ Go ahead… Make My Day ?!”

In the animal kingdom Carole would be our Lioness
she would care for us, find us shelter, water,leading us… her trusted and beloved pride

Carole is the yin to our yang, the bread to our butter -
to make our World of miniatures complete
we need her by our side !

As it is… she is our Carole, a brilliant miniaturist,
not only a mentor, but a dear and truly beloved friend

This poem, although revised, I keep in present tense
as our love and indeed our respect for Carole will NEVER die…
that could NEVER end !

Carole’s presence has gone, but she’ll not be forgotten, her guidance and wisdom lives on through all of us...
and will throughout the coming years

So Thank You Carole, for all you’ve been to everyone here, know we love you, miss you and thoughts of you will forever bring ... smiles through all our tears
___________________________________
Bless You our friend, be at peace, free from the bindings of an illness that you fought with such grace and dignity and with such amazing spirit. We will forever love and admire the amazing woman who is / was and indeed will forever be … ‘ Our Carole’ xxx Our love and eternal Thanks to Graham, Johanna, John & David for sharing Carole with us for all these years xxx

COPY OF PAT CASE'S EULOGY FOR CAROLE -READ AT THE FUNERAL....
Last October NZAME celebrated its 30th anniversary with another successful convention at Albany’s Massey University with Carole in charge of publicity. A few weeks ago we held a reunion for some of the members who attended the first convention in 1980, which was held at the Pump House beside Lake Pupuke here in Takapuna where it all began.

Back then a number of us around the country were making dolls house miniatures, ostensibly for our children – or that was our excuse – until we met others and realized that this mini-mania was a legitimate hobby.

Whilst living in Palmerston North Carol’s friendship with Merlin Sampson and members of local doll clubs led to Carole and Merlin exhibiting some of their miniature work. I first met Carole at an Auckland doll club show when she and Graham moved to Auckland and Carole’s dream of forming a national club for miniaturists began to take shape. She co-opted Merlin and I on to her committee and planning commenced for that first convention.

We all know that “Behind every great man there is a woman” but in this case, and I know Carole would wholeheartedly agree that “Behind this great woman there was a man!”…….. and Graham has been there in the background, camera in hand, all the way.

That first convention was a marvelous success and great fun with 50 delegates from around New Zealand. We agreed to form an association to share our skills and promote the awareness of miniatures as a rewarding hobby, to publish a twice yearly magazine and hold a convention every two years. As Carole put it “NZAME was on its way”.

As President Carole was NZAME. She even had it on her car number plate, although I believe her teenage boys put a somewhat different interpretation on it when they were using her car…. However, with the building of Hogwarts some of our miniatures are reaching rather epic proportions….

But Carole set the scene and guided us through the first ten years with such vision and energy, putting NZAME on the firm foundation it stands today. Now we see the younger ones carrying it forward with the same joy and enthusiasm we all share in this wonderful hobby.

A lot of research goes into our miniature building. We’ve delved into history and periods in furnishings and architecture. We’ve travelled the World meeting other incredible miniaturists far and wide, and making lifelong friendships along the way.

Carole – we’ve had such fun times. We have so much to thank you for.

In her report from the Christchurch Club in the 1990 magazine, Jewel wrote “We thank NZAME for tying us all together and keeping the inspiration going, and Carole in particular for pushing and shoving us, and for her contagious, good sense philosophy.”

Carole, you will always be with us.

To Graham and family also my sympathies go out to you all. Thought I would share with you that I had attended a miniature show in Palmerston North just recentley. The show was good but have to say the most fantastic thing for me was talking to so many mini friends sharing our stories and time that we had with Carole and how she just kept encouraging us! Kept thinking Carole's here at the show with us!
Big hugs

Our sympathy to Graham and family.
Carole was an inspiration when Joanne and Nelson set up the Goldfields Miniature Club in Alexandra and we will always treasure the books Carole donated to start up our library

Earth’s but a moment….
Our time here on Earth’s but a moment…
a fleeting second in time
Our mission is to really LIVE here…
use it, make it sublime !
We’re taken too soon sometimes…
before finishing all the tasks we’ve been set –
Before we’ve had time to say ‘Goodbye’
or all our missions seem met !?
So make the most of your time here…
be kind, love others, live wisely and be at your best
It’s all just lessons we’re sent to learn…
a guidance… a test !
Be the best that YOU can ,
there’s always more here to learn…
But you’ll learn it NEXT time on Earth …
don’t let that be of concern !
You’re paths will cross again
with those you love and hold so dear
Love knows no end like life does…
of that never fear !
When parting, the love held within us then gathers and swirls,
like a beautiful, soft cloud in the sky…
It searches for those loved ones we had
upon finding them, it settles nearby.
That cloud of soft love then envelopes them,
let’s them actually ‘feel’ you’re still there, at their side,
Your sweet, lingering love then helps them to cope, to be strong…
like a protecting angel or guide !
So be at peace now sweet Earth child
know your mission here has now been met
Know we will miss you, always love you
and we’ll try not to fret !
The battle that you fought seemed an uphill one -
so unfair and so steep…
But know that your soft cloud of love will return to us
you’ll live on through us to eternity
your love with us forever
we will keep !

xxx
be at peace now Carole,
love forever
Alie xxx

Carole you will certainly be missed by many. It was a real pleasure to know you and share your company at miniatures.
All my love to you Graham and your family at this sad time.

To my most favourite Aunty in the world, how missed you will be, by so many - especially me xxx xxx

Carole was an inspiration to me and a lot of help when doing my Georgian Box room which I will treasure....Lynne B Central Otago

Carole was an inspration to all miniature people and was always there
for them now at peace my thoughts are with Graham and family.

Carole helped me when I needed help with some projects and gave me the first 2 magazines that I missed before I joined NZAME thinking of Graham and family she will be missed
Elaine Bailey

It is with a huge sense of loss that I write these few words of tribute to Carole, who worked so tirelessly for NZAME since founding the association 30 years ago.

My first association with Carole was when I wrote to her in late 1982 wanting to become a member of NZAME. I received such a lovely letter in reply that I felt I had already made a friend, though I did not get to meet her in person until my first convention in 1986. Knowing how much that letter, as first contact with NZAME, meant to me, I have tried to follow Carole’s example wherever possible.

Carole was my mentor – in my 15 years of being editor for the magazine, she wrote or arranged the writing of so many items. It was hardly surprising that she had a strong interest in the magazine as she herself was the editor for the first 21 issues. She always contacted me early in the production phase to ask if there was anything I needed, often enlisting Graham’s help to organize photos, or simply sending me odd photos: “Thought you might be able to use these” - and she was usually the first to acknowledge my efforts when she received her copy. That was Carole – she made us feel valued.

Carole recognised talent and fostered it in newer members. She put people in touch with others who could help them or she would commission items from them and raise their profiles by displaying their work and spreading the word. She also passed on her knowledge in her many club and convention workshops and through the Resource Book and folders, which she initiated.

Carole was always very generous – she donated her collection of magazines and books to new, smaller clubs, and even at the last convention, she was busy trying to trace people she knew could make use of particular materials from her stores. There would not have been a convention without some of Carole’s miniatures for the in-house raffles. Her generosity extended to fund-raising for her local hospice and to giving her time to those who needed it.

I never knew Carole to complain about the rough ride she had over the last few years: just once, when she knew the cancer had returned, she wrote: “What a bugger.” But that was it. She just got on with life, and made the most of every day.

Carole was an inspiration to us all: a multi-talented miniaturist, and a wonderful ambassador for NZAME. We’ll miss her sparkling humour, her boundless energy, her warmth and genuine friendship, her love of life and, most of all, her passion for miniatures - though her legacy will live on.

Jeanette

To Graeme
I am so sorry that we have lost our lovely special lady and I am very glad I was able to visit with her a few short weeks ago when she still had that animated sparkle in her eye and a lot she wanted to say.
Your Carole has been truly inspirational to so many people and miniatures was just a part of it. She talked me through a few big worries and her "down to earth' approach and philosophy of life has been an example for all of us to aspire to. She taught me how to travel as I hung onto her coat tails all through America. She taught me how to be a good parent and how to be an independent person. I have tried to be like her and that is the heartfelt compliment I pay her.
But more than all this serious stuff we have had a lot of fun and a lot of laughs. Carole had this frequent big approving smile, the champion positive reinforcer of all time, and it made us glow and strive and feel happy.
I don't know what we are going to do without our benevolent matriarch at the helm but she did prepare us well and I can hear her commanding voice saying "Well - I showed you the way, now get on with it".
She was a straight, grand and upfront person who couldn't be bothered with pettiness and trivialities. A true lady and a wonderful friend. She was my mentor and my Guru.
You picked a good one there Graeme and she was your match.
I send my love to you and your family.

Carole, you yourself were a 'Special Event' with your boundless creative energy at NZAME Conventions.
You took your work seriously, yet bubbled like champagne while you got things done.
Thankyou - We have benefited by your foresight and vision

What a wonderful, creative talent the world, her family, friends and acquaintances has lost. A funny, wise and generous person she will be sadly missed. I know she was an inspiration to me and, as with so many others, helped us to lift our sights and try a bit harder.
My most sincere condolences to her immediate family and wider friends.
Sleep kindly Carole.
Nerida O'Callaghan.

Carole, you were one of the few people I respected and admired. I so looked up to you and loved whenever you shared your wisdom with me. You always had a snippet of wisdom about children, teenagers, family and life in general which was always dispensed with humour. You mentored me in my early days of miniaturing and I was always in awe of your abilities and chuffed when you liked what I had done. I had a lot of fun rooming with you on a couple of occasions and you certainly set an example of how to care for your friends of whom there were many. You will be dearly missed and in my thoughts forever. The footprints you have left on this earth will remain not only on the sands of Takapuna & Milford beaches but in the hearts of many. Thank you my friend for your interest and influence on my life. I will miss you.
To Graham and family my thoughts, prayers and love go out to you.
Debbie L.

I thank Carole for introducing me to the wonderful world of miniature makers and sharers. From your suggestion of a purchase of a Dremel Scroll saw when we shared a stint in the Library of College Street School in Palmerston North to me discovering you again in Auckland. We will all miss your encouragement and enthusiasm.
Colleen

Carole, You were always a real inspiration to me - One of the first miniaturists to share their knowledge and skills freely with me when I first joined both NZAME and the Auckland club, a key person at so many conventions and miniatures events, and someone who really encouraged my own work by adding a few of my own pieces to your personal collection. As one of the founders of NZAME it was your combined visions of the not-for-profit sharing that has really defined the miniatures scene in New Zealand and allowed so many people to grow so quickly in their skills and confidence as miniature makers.

My thoughts are with your family and close friends at this time even though I am on the other side of the world.

Thinking of Carole's family.

Carole a special person with a heart of gold, will remain a golden light in the hearts of many. One of the handful of Miniaturists who kept in touch while I moved about the country with Nelson. I feel blessed to have had her touch my life. Joanne R

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

I'll keep this short as I know you'll be organising that new miniaturing Club (along with Mavis, Tony and so many others) for all the other angels to join and enjoy! I hope to join you all one day and create a miniature extravaganza the likes of nothing seen in Heaven before !!!
Bless you for all you've done for us, you're our one in one million and we'll miss you more than you could ever have imagined.
To Graham and all of Carole's beloved family my love and condolences on your loss. May the good times shine brighter than the grief and sorrow, and may the light that Carole brought to all your lives shine on and help to guide and lead you through the paths you have left to follow in this World.
with love forever and a day
Alie xxx

PERRY, Carole. You will be forever in our hearts and our memories. I will always see you prancing so boldly in on our club days, the room always lite up with your presence - you were always such a bright light - love Cherie, Emma and Jake - NSM

PERRY, Carole Anne. At home on 9 April surrounded by her beloved family. She fought a long battle she could not win. Her courage, compassion and caring endeared her to all. Loved special friend of Carmel.

PERRY, Carole. As the original founder and also a member of NZAME Carole has been a much loved guiding light to so many over the past 30 years. Her enthusiasm and friendship will be greatly missed. NZAME and it's members send their condolences to Graham and his family at this sad time.

PERRY, Carole. A miniaturists most valued, required and indeed treasured item is their 1/12th ruler, without it we run the risk of things being 'out of scale' or just not right Carole was indeed North Shore Miniature Club's 'ruler' in every sense of the word! We will miss her more than words can say. Our love and condolences to Graham and all her beloved family from all of us at NSM