Ida GASKIN Obituary

My sister Prue and I were lucky enough to be taught English by Ida at NPGHS. We both loved her! I can still see and hear her quoting long passages from King Lear. I went on to study Shakespeare at university but the lectures there paled in comparison to our classes with "Mrs Gaskin". Later, in my teaching career, Ida inspired me again in her role as PPTA President. I feel very privileged to have known her.
Sue Fullarton NPGHS 1964-1968

What a great person your mother was. An inspiration to thousands whom she taught. Thoughts with you John, Ruth & David from 25 Turakina Street. Gaye`s 7th Form year was I believe one of her Proudest Years of what those girls ended up achieving. Much appreciated by them as they often visited her for the catch up chats and a cuppa.Glad I caught up with her when back in NP.

My condolences to Ida's family on her passing. She was my English teacher for two years and it was a delight seeing her so passionate in class when teaching, especially Shakespeare. She passed that love of Shakespeare onto me and I am now involved in the Sheilah Winn Shakespeare festival each year. Ida will be sadly missed by many people.

Dave, Linda and Extended Family - my sincere condolences on the loss of your Mother.

Thinking of you at this time Marjorie and the family. A life full of achievement with her love of Shakespeare and her teachings to the girls at NPGHS. My condolences

Ida was an inspirational teacher. I loved being in her 5th form English Class in 1962 at NPGHS. Her straightforward approach to Shakespeare and life was a revelation to me. I was inspired to ask my parents for The Complete Works of Shakespeare for my 16th birthday. In 1994, at my request, Ida was guest speaker at a school I was teaching at and it was a case of déjà vu. I watched delighted as she held my daughter and her 7th form peers spellbound while she addressed them on King Lear. I married a teacher, have become a teacher and my daughter is an English teacher. Thank you Ida. A wonderful teacher and human being. My condolences to the family.

Ida was an inspiration to generations of young New Zealand secondary school students. She had a warm, witty way with words and whatever aspect of Shakespeare she was discussing, she had the class in the palm of her hand. I had the honour of recording some of her talks which I now treasure. She was as sad as any teacher who loves The Bard,when we heard NZQA had dropped the compulsory 'Shakespeare' section from external exams. I will always remember that the dear lady passed away 400 years after her beloved playwright.
On behalf of many thousands of young New Zealand English students, thankyou, dear Dr Ida.
Rod Dowling
Rod Dowling

Marjorie, I remember you from school. Your Mum was amazing. She took me for School C History. Wrote the syllabus up on the board without looking at a single note. All the Acts of Parliament she knew off by heart, along with all the dates. As I said, amazing lady, who I will never forget. deepest sympathy to you.

A fondly remembered tutor at Wanstead County High School when I was a pupil there. Had the honour of attending the celebrations of Ida's 80th and 90th birthday and was proud to be, in her own words, my oldest pupil.
Ida was a one off and her friendship was greatly valued.
My condolences to you Ruth and all the family.
Terry Joyes the WHS Newsletter editor was in touch today and I have sent him the article that was written about Ida and he will write an article for the next Newsletter. Terry told me that Ida was the last survivor of the wartime teaching staff at WHS.

Gerry Mos.

Ruth & Brownie -so sorry for your loss-your mum was one very unique lady and filled a large part of your life these past years
Unfortunately cannot make funeral as we are away but will call when home.all our love and sympathies

You can take the girl out of Pontardawe, but you can never take Pontardawe out of the girl.

A beautiful lady who will be sadly missed.

Best wishes to Ruth and family at this sad time. Your mother left a huge legacy around the world. Others like me who gained such a great education from her have gone on to share the passion and inspiration over the years and the miles. I was one of her privileged pupils you were here precious family. Best wishes Lizz Faulkner (Whyte).

Mrs Gaskin taught me in my final year at NPGHS 1970 to be precise. Until then Shakespeare was not in my my Top 10 picks for reading, however that changed throughout 1970. For that I thank you Ida, along with all the correctness of English, spoken or written. I have memories in recent years whenever I have been back in New Plymouth, of visiting you and really it was another day at school, but adult school. I loved that you were interested in where and what ex pupils had been up to. A truly remarkable lady who has been able to reach out to all generations in all manner of ways. To the family, my thoughts are with you all at this time. I can imagine the Shakespearean themed party going on "upstairs" and it will be with William himself.

Unfortunately there is no name attached to the most recent message however it may reassure the writer to know that Ida once bought a classic comic copy of Macbeth in a vain attempt to inspire her grandson to develop an interest in Shakespeare!

Mrs Gaskin as you were known to me at school and later Auntie as I married into the family. A truly inspirational lady who taught me for two years. I will never forget our English classes. I always check and re-check all my written work and make sure it is properly laid out with perfection as I was taught in the day.
My condolences to the family in their loss. Know that the love of your mum is shared by so many and hope that this helps at this time of sorrow.

Ida was that rare teacher whom one encounters, if extremely fortunate, once in one's school life. She taught me English and History for three years at NPGHS, and every lesson with her was a veritable banquet, with her encyclopaedic knowledge of virtually everything. To hear the melifluous words of Beowulf or Chaucer fall, unscripted, from her lips was spellbinding, and the tirade of Welsh aimed at a certain young lady who had the temerity to be reading the classic comic version of Hamlet under the desk, rather than the original, was truly awe-inspiring. Ida taught us so much - not just about the rich tapestry of British history and literature, but also appreciation of the beauty of the English language. Our writing was critiqued and re-written until it met her exacting standards. No small error of grammar escaped her notice - to this day, Ida's strict grammar teaching guides my writing. "Make no assertion without evidence, girls!" was her refrain. Fifty years on, and I return repeatedly to the works we studied with Ida, books which became so familiar and so loved as a result of Ida's teaching. Ida Gaskin was truly one of life's heroes, and her influence will live on in the lives of so many young people touched by her pedagogy. My condolences to her family in the loss of a much loved matriarch, and I hope that the knowledge that she was so admired and respected by so many is of some comfort in their sorrow.

Our thoughts and condolences are with Dave, Linda and the extended family.

I was a student of Mrs Gaskin at New Plymouth Girls High School in the 60s. She influenced my life like no other teacher in helping develop / shape my reading and understanding of the written and spoken word and its relevance to everyday life . Still in my 60s I think of her when I embark on a new choice of reading / writing . Thank you Ida for so much .

Marjorie & Brian, Please accept my deepest sympathy in the sad loss of your loved one. My she rest in peace.

You can take the girl from Pontardawe, but you can never take Pontardawe from the girl.

A lovely lady who will be greatly missed.

Ida was a remarkable women in every sense. She acted as a second mother to Janet and I when Mum and Dad travelled overseas in 1972. A truly inspiring person, Mastermind of New Zealand, Labour MP, Head of English at New Plymouth Girls High School and a leading historian on Shakespeare. What more is there to say. Irreplaceable in every sense of the word.

To Ida's family - I remember having Ida for one day at NPGHS as a teacher and I remember her being a wonderful person