Deidre Currie Obituary

Thinking of Archie, Jack and Deidre's family on the recent anniversary of Dee's sudden passing. I think of her often and when I do, I smile remembering all the good memories. Love Angela (Melbourne)

I has taken me some time to get myself together after arriving back from Dee’s Festival but here I am at last finally writing about an amazing day and time spent in the States.
I travelled over with Steve & Nicola – what a difference it made having their special company on the long trip – Archie & Jack met us at Detroit airport and we travelled to Ann Arbor in the early hours of the morning to a Bed & Breakfast Archie had booked for us all.

Wonderful accommodation – we had a room each & of course Jack was with me.
He had grown so much and loved every minute of taking care of him. Still smiling so much and so healthy – I think he remembered his grandma.

Friday was spent catching up on sleep – we all had a massage arranged by Archie and plenty of wines & food that night.

Saturday – the big day – we arrived at the College site in Ann Arbor early in the morning – perfect place with lots of parking – I was given my name tag for the day as Dee’s Mum – very special – Archie made the most amazing speech on opening time with Jack in his arms with a slide show of Dee growing up over the years – Steve & I were in tears remembering all those happy times and then the Festival began.

All the very special speakers – Sally Fallon – Natasha Campbell-McBride – Jerry Brunetti and Karen Lubbers – they travelled over for it at their own expense and spoke real words of truth about great health and all the myths about the food industry – we all learnt so much and have hopefully taken it all on board. Thank you so very much for coming – such a wonderful thing to do and Dee would have applauded your efforts.
The Gourmet Farmers Market was just an amazing success – well over 400 people attended the Festival and we all soaked up the atmosphere that a market creates – so many food artisans with food & health products – I was pleased that there was so much interest in going back to good basics - organic cheese, bread, jams, beef, wine, chocolate, raw milk, maple syrup, herbs, teas & coffees, vegs, honey, fruit, olive oils, chicken & pork, blueberries/raspberries, cod liver oil, creams, soaps, gardening to mention just a few – I was made so welcome with hugs from so many people & of course Archie’s special family – I have such wonderful memories. Thank you also to Jim & Karen – Jim was the organiser for the day & did such a great job – to all the rest of the family – thank you so much for spending the day working at making it such a success.

I want to mention other special friends of Dee who made a special trip to the States for this day – such wonderful friends of darling Dee:

Petria Aylen
Nicola Herbert
Suzi Skinner
Karen Betton
Amanda Beamon

What a wonderful tribute to friendship – thank you so much for being there – Dee would have been looking on and smiling her gorgeous smile.

Thank you Stevie for coming over from Sydney and for being there with me. It made all the difference to have your company and sharing all the good times – you are a very special son and I love you so much.

The Festival was so successful and people were still there at 7pm that night – Archie has had amazing feedback and all want to hold another next year so tune in for more updates on this.

Now for Archie – that wonderful son-in-law of mine – what an incredible effort on your part to organise this very special day in memory of Dee. She would have been so proud of you for taking this on board from last year’s Festival that she staged to try and spread the message of good health and food for everyone. You spent so much time and effort over months of organising so many things to put it all together and I was delighted that it was such an amazing success. Thank you so very much for everything and for taking such good care of Jack – I am very proud of you.

The rest of the week was spent at Archie’s with Jack and his adoring aunties – sad to say goodbye but we plan to have a reunion each year in Central Otago to remember.
I am sure Dee was watching over us all and laughing at some of our antics – great time and very special memories.

I will submit some photos for you all to enjoy.

Much love and special thanks to everyone.

Irene Currie

I have recently been to to visit the States to see Jack & Archie - this was my first visit since darling Dee passed away - it was a very emotional time but I spent some wonderful times with Archie & Jack - we visited Dee's favourite city - New York - we were there for 5 days and had such a special time - we celebrated Dee's birthday at the Cookhouse with special friends of Dee - Dave & Karen who we stayed with on the trip, wonderful people - Petria - a good friend of Dee's from Sydney and Dave's sister - wonderful food and a special night - the 3 weeks went too quickly and I looked after Jack all the time which was just wonderful - he is a very special grandson and looks so like Dee.
I am off again on the 9 September for Dee's Fesitival with Nicola and Steve - Archie has put so much time & effort into this special time to remember the festival Dee put together last year - I remember her mailing me with all the exciting events that were happening - I will be in touch again after I return with special memories and photos.

We are very sorry to hear of Deidre's passing. She was a very kind, calm and pleasant person. We met her when discussing renovating her home with Archie in November of '07. She has affected me and made me more aware of my lifestyle choices in a very positive way. Our condolences to Archie, Jack and the rest of Deidre's family and friends.

Monica & Jim Saelens

I have just read of Deidre (Miss Currie)'s passing. She was my teacher at Karori West Normal School in 1996 and 1997.
She was an inspirational teacher, and one I will never forget.
I am so sad to hear this news, and want to give my thoughts and prayers to her family and friends. Even though they're coming a little bit late.

Spread the news!

September 13th, 2008 the Deidre Currie Festival will take place in Ann Arbor Michigan. Three of the top names in nutrition are coming to the festival to speak in honor of Dee. As part of the festival there will also be a gourmet farmers market filled with wonderful foods, sights and smells. There are some other events in the works such as a sustainable (organic, fair trade) fashion show, wine tasting, cheese making tour, etc. The website should be ready in May at which time you can log onto www.deidrecurriefestival.com for details. Any residual proceeds from the festival will go to the Jack Currie-Welch fund set up for him in New Zealand. Stay tuned for more updates as plans progress.

Archie

Dear Archie,

I learned of the call for breast milk for your son through my son's Waldorf school parent group listserv. The community that your Dee has touched has grown so wide. I am doing what I can do find breast milk for Jack. My love and support, Sincerely, Frances Rosinski (from Camp Dearborn a million years ago)

Dear Irene and Noel and Family
We were deeply saddened to hear of your tragic loss of deidre, it is so hard to understand why these things happen to us and why some people are taken away from us so soon especially when such a beautiful occassion was happening with dear wee jack having being born.
We had only just got through 10 years from my cousin Louise dying who was a good friend at Logan Park High School with Deidre, and still the grief hits us, so i can understand how hard it will be for you and your family.
Deidre was a lovely girl and very friendly.
Our thoughts are with you and your family.

Sally(Simpson)& Mahal Pearce

Dear friends/family of Dee in New Zealand

Nicola Herbert has set-up a bank account for Jack here in NZ - if you wish to donate to the account for Jack's future then the following are the account details:




Dear Friends

After the tragic loss of a very dear friend Kerry and I recently discussed what we could do in New Zealand to help support Deidre and Archie’s newborn son Jack. As it is Archie’s intention to someday bring Jack to live in New Zealand we have decided to set up a New Zealand bank account for Jack. Our New Zealand dollar is not strong against the US and this is part of reason why we have decided to show our support in New Zealand rather than donating on Deidre’s website as some people may have already done. It is with Archie and Irene’s permission that we have opened the bank account and for now it is in the name of Jack Currie-Welch and Irene Currie. Bank statements will be sent directly to Irene who will run the account until such time this is required to be changed.

It is our intention that when Archie and Jack move to New Zealand Archie and Irene will decide how best the funds can be used to support Jack. Whether this is for his education or to help Archie establish themselves in New Zealand. It has also been discussed that if Archie and Jack do not travel to New Zealand permanently the funds in the account can be transferred to them in the States or be used during the times they will holiday here visiting Deidre’s family.

If you would like to support beautiful baby Jack you can do so by donating to his account. For those people living in New Zealand this can be done via internet banking or at any ASB Bank branch. Alternatively funds can be posted directly to any ASB Bank Branch or to Irene Currie at 41 Merchiston Street, Andersons Bay, Dunedin, cheques in any currency can be made out to Jack Currie-Welch.

Bank Account details are as follows:

Name: Jack Currie-Welch and Irene Currie
Account Number: 12-3150-0266115-50
ASB Bank Limited, P O Box 5875, Dunedin, New Zealand

If you would like any further details with regards to any of the above please feel free to contact us directly at [email protected]. Kerry and I thank you on behalf of Archie, Jack, Irene and Noel for any contribution you can make to the above account.


Kind regards
Nicola and Kerry Herbert
Dunedin, New Zealand

Thank you so much Nicola for arranging this for Jack - Dee would have been so grateful for all your love and real caring for Jack's future.

Love Irene

Dear Archie, Irene,Noel,Sonya,Steve, family and friends,

Here are some photos of Dee including one at the WAPF conference where Archie and Dee met in 2005, and some taken only a month ago at the Acres Conference in Kentucky. Dee looked very pregnant and beautiful and was so happy.

Archie it was so good to have you here in Sydney - to be able to hug you and talk about Dee. Your pain was heartbreaking but I hope little Jack will be a little beacon of light and hope.

I was with you when you met in Washington in 2005 and when you proposed a year later there and then I visited you in Detroit. You sent me off on my long trip home laden with wonderful food. (I didn't have to touch any airline food all the way back to Sydney!) We shared our food with you in Sydney, caught up at our beach house and went to your beautiful wedding in Queenstown. Dee went to so much trouble to make it an event to remember for her friends and family. I feel very privileged to have shared these moments with you and our time together just last month will always be a treasured memory.

She was one very special person and a huge inspiration and support for me. I will miss just knowing she was a phone call or an email away.

We plan to do something to honour her memory here - perhaps a Dee Currie Lecture....

Love
Vicki

Dear Archie, Irene,Noel,Sonya,Steve, family and friends,

Here are some photos of Dee including one at the WAPF conference where Archie and Dee met in 2005, and some taken only a month ago at the Acres Conference in Kentucky. Dee looked very pregnant and beautiful and was so happy.

Archie it was so good to have you here in Sydney - to be able to hug you and talk about Dee. Your pain was heartbreaking but I hope little Jack will be a little beacon of light and hope.

I was with you when you met in Washington in 2005 and when you proposed a year later there and then I visited you in Detroit. You sent me off on my long trip home laden with wonderful food. (I didn't have to touch any airline food all the way back to Sydney!) We shared our food with you in Sydney, caught up at our beach house and went to your beautiful wedding in Queenstown. Dee went to so much trouble to make it an event to remember for her friends and family. I feel very privileged to have shared these moments with you and our time together just last month will always be a treasured memory.

She was one very special person and a huge inspiration and support for me. I will miss just knowing she was a phone call or an email away.

We plan to do something to honour her memory here - perhaps a Dee Currie Lecture....

Love
Vicki

Dear Archie, Irene,Noel,Sonya,Steve, family and friends,

Here are some photos of Dee including one at the WAPF conference where Archie and Dee met in 2005, and some taken only a month ago at the Acres Conference in Kentucky. Dee looked very pregnant and beautiful and was so happy.

Archie it was so good to have you here in Sydney - to be able to hug you and talk about Dee. Your pain was heartbreaking but I hope little Jack will be a little beacon of light and hope.

I was with you when you met in Washington in 2005 and when you proposed a year later there and then I visited you in Detroit. You sent me off on my long trip home laden with wonderful food. (I didn't have to touch any airline food all the way back to Sydney!) We shared our food with you in Sydney, caught up at our beach house and went to your beautiful wedding in Queenstown. Dee went to so much trouble to make it an event to remember for her friends and family. I feel very privileged to have shared these moments with you and our time together just last month will always be a treasured memory.

She was one very special person and a huge inspiration and support for me. I will miss just knowing she was a phone call or an email away.

We plan to do something to honour her memory here - perhaps a Dee Currie Lecture....

Love
Vicki

Dear Archie, Irene,Noel,Sonya,Steve, family and friends,

Here are some photos of Dee including one at the WAPF conference where Archie and Dee met in 2005, and some taken only a month ago at the Acres Conference in Kentucky. Dee looked very pregnant and beautiful and was so happy.

Archie it was so good to have you here in Sydney - to be able to hug you and talk about Dee. Your pain was heartbreaking but I hope little Jack will be a little beacon of light and hope.

I was with you when you met in Washington in 2005 and when you proposed a year later there and then I visited you in Detroit. You sent me off on my long trip home laden with wonderful food. (I didn't have to touch any airline food all the way back to Sydney!) We shared our food with you in Sydney, caught up at our beach house and went to your beautiful wedding in Queenstown. Dee went to so much trouble to make it an event to remember for her friends and family. I feel very privileged to have shared these moments with you and our time together just last month will always be a treasured memory.

She was one very special person and a huge inspiration and support for me. I will miss just knowing she was a phone call or an email away.

We plan to do something to honour her memory here - perhaps a Dee Currie Lecture....

Love
Vicki

Dear Archie, Irene,Noel,Sonya,Steve, family and friends,

Here are some photos of Dee including one at the WAPF conference where Archie and Dee met in 2005, and some taken only a month ago at the Acres Conference in Kentucky. Dee looked very pregnant and beautiful and was so happy.

Archie it was so good to have you here in Sydney - to be able to hug you and talk about Dee. Your pain was heartbreaking but I hope little Jack will be a little beacon of light and hope.

I was with you when you met in Washington in 2005 and when you proposed a year later there and then I visited you in Detroit. You sent me off on my long trip home laden with wonderful food. (I didn't have to touch any airline food all the way back to Sydney!) We shared our food with you in Sydney, caught up at our beach house and went to your beautiful wedding in Queenstown. Dee went to so much trouble to make it an event to remember for her friends and family. I feel very privileged to have shared these moments with you and our time together just last month will always be a treasured memory.

She was one very special person and a huge inspiration and support for me. I will miss just knowing she was a phone call or an email away.

We plan to do something to honour her memory here - perhaps a Dee Currie Lecture....

Love
Vicki

Dear Archie, Jack and the Currie family

I'm so sorry for your terrible loss. Dee was a lovely person and I remember sharing a wonderful wedding with her - that of our mutual friends Hayley and Chris.

You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Jen

Dear Dee, my family, Archies family & all of Dee’s very special friends & Noel

Noel - Thank you for all your support – I could not have gone through this terrible journey alone – you have helped me in so many ways & I will never forget it – travelling with me to the States – bringing back Dee – 2 services that were a tribute to our gorgeous daughter – your phone calls & having time out over coffees & just talking over memories of Dee – has helped me so much in my grief.


From Noel:


Thank you from the heart for all your kindness, support and cards/flowers sent at the saddest time of our lives.

Dee was such a special daughter to me and I will never get over the grief of losing her at such a young age & under such tragic circumstances. I am now a grandfather but it has not registered yet but I will deal with this tragedy in my own way and concentrate on Jack – her legacy to the living.

What a beautiful baby and he is making such good progress now – I had the wonderful privilege of nursing him at the hospital in Clarkston and look forward to being a part of his life in the future.

Dee – you were always a special part of my life – from the early years when we called you – Charlie Mouse – because you were always so little and so thin – I remember you not eating vegetables and sitting at the table for ages until we gave up and let you finally get down – saving the Easter eggs & sweets for later with your brother & sister hanging around for more because they had eaten theirs. You would laugh at this now because you developed in later years such a passion for good food & healthy living – you spent so much time researching into organic food and trying to turn the world around and back to the good old basics which will happen – I have no doubt about that.

Thank you for being such an important part of our lives – we will never understand just why you were taken so early and why Jack will never have the tender loving care of his mother but be reassured we will always keep the memory of you alive forever.

Love Dad & Noel & Irene

Aunt Dee, Uncle Archie,and baby Jack:

I've been wanting to leave an entry for some time now but never really knew what to say.

To Aunt Dee,

As you can see in this guestbook you have touched many lives. Even though i only met you a couple times and only had the chance to speak with you a short few times you touched my life as well. You meant and still do mean so much to many people, and you will always live on through your beautiful son Jack.

To Uncle Archie,

Let me just start out saying that you definitely give the best most comforting hugs ever. And hopefully after you get back and settle in and have some alone time we can come visit you and Jack and i can get another one of those hugs.

To baby Jack,

Your mother was an amazing person who touched many lives in many different ways. You have so many friends and family all over the world that care about you very much, you are one very special little man.

Love Always,

Dear friends of Dee, my family, Archie’s family & all my special friends out there including my work mates from ACC that have supported me through this very sad time. Maria for your special care of Jack - It has meant so much to me.

I am not sure how to start - Noel & I travelled to the US just 4 hours after we received the terrible news – Air New Zealand were just amazing and made the trip over so much easier as the grief was enormous – Archie met us at the airport & we went straight over to see Jack – he was hooked up to so many tubes in the Prem unit but still managed to look gorgeous – thank you darling daughter for creating such a healthy baby - then on to Archie and Dee’s house – I felt Dee all over the place & it was a comfort thing in a strange way.

The service in Clarkston was something Dee would have loved - thank you to all Archie’s family & friends for all the wonderful support that you gave us - I will never forget your kindness & really hope to see some of you with new passports and coming to New Zealand to see me - my home is yours whenever you want to spread your wings & travel especially Henry - you were such a big support person while we were there & so good to Dee in the last few months.

We came home with Dee a few days later – thank you Archie for allowing us to bring our daughter home – a huge sacrifice & I will never forget it – the service here was just what Dee would have wanted – very personal and all about her and her many achievements/travel and the love of her special friends.

We buried her in a beautiful spot in the Port Chalmers cemetery overlooking the Otago Harbour and celebrated her life at the Carey’s Bay Hotel – Dee & I always went there when she was home for a wine & to drink to precious past memories.

I am now trying to cope with the grief of losing a daughter – life will never be the same. Archie is now in Sydney for the special service for Dee for all her friends that could not make it over here - thank you Shara & Kim so very much for all your kindness and for sharing your house for this special time with Dee’s friends.

Archie – I miss you around the house so much – have no-one here to cook scrambled eggs & bacon for every morning – maybe you will bring Jack back here in the future for me to share in his life but remember that your life is now about your happiness & what you feel is right for you – I will understand whatever your decision.

Dee – I will travel to New York & Paris – our favourite cities - sometime in the future and do the special things we always planned to do – you will always be with me in spirit.

Love Mum & Irene

What a beautiful mother and baby. I understand your pain for I recently loss my sister this month as well. The memories of our departed loved ones never fade. May God bless your family in many ways, always.