Rhondda KERINS Obituary

Sorry to hear this news. I just read of her passing and wanted to say what an awesome lady she was. She delivered 2 of 3 of my babies (after a tough 1st birth I actually only landed Rhondda as my midwife when one of her ladies ducked out with her own pregnancy). Rhondda was amazing! She made it all so easy, she was so reassuring and real with us. After my first birth with her I also glimpsed the many others she had touched. At Birthcare when she came in all the other nurses popped their heads in, as they wanted to glance this incredible midwife in action. She was a real star and knew her job and people so well. She really went over and above for us and I am so thankful. You will not be forgotten Rhondda. Sending condolences to your family.

Me nga whakaaro, inoi aroha atu.

Aroha to Rhonda's husband and children, such sad news to hear.
I have lovely memories of Rhonda employing me to work at Middlemore hospital through to being in delivery suite with her at ACH, where she calmed the entire room with her gentle korero to a mama who was fitting...amazing midwifery/people skills.Thanks you Rhonda for all of your advice over the years.
Go well with aroha and rainbows.
Mahia Winder

I remember the early days of the midwifery autonomy struggle and Rhonda's smiling generosity of spirit, her reassuring support and faith that all will be well. A lovely woman and midwife loved by many. Rhonda modelled and lived the midwifery partnership and her contribution to the profession was unconditional. She will be sadly missed by us all. Heartfelt condolences to her family.

Ngaa mihi aroha ki a koutou, moe mai ra e te Rangatira whakawhanau pepi. Much love to Rhonda's whanau, she was a beautiful woman and midwife who service to woman and babies will not be forgotten. Jo Rama

A kind and generous soul who I am forever grateful to have met in my early new grad days. Your support throughout a difficult time was invaluable - your midwifery heart for the women and your colleagues was inspiring, thank you. Alofa atu Rhondda x

So very sad to hear the news of Rhondda’s sudden death. I remember her as a generous, loving midwife with a big laugh. She was loved and respected by colleagues, and an inspiration to students. I am so sorry for her family and friends. Keep shining your light wherever you are, Rhondda.
Juleigh, a past colleague

You were always so upbeat, kind and considerate. You were there to support my daughter when she gave birth by supporting her midwife. You had a stellar career and this was your time to rest. Yours was a life well lived and gone too soon.

I feel so blessed to have known you and have my space held by you as a mentor in my first year of practice, sharing stories and letting me know all the crazy thoughts and self doubt were normal and part of the process. I truly doubt I would have made it through that first crazy year without you,having the chance to debrief about the huge adjustments and changes I was making both professionally and personally. A wonderful woman with an infectious laugh. Rest in peace xo

Dear Rhondda,
I thank you for all your kind words, laughter, hugs and wisdom. You will always hold a special place in my heart. My deepest condolences and much Aroha to your family as they both mourn and celebrate your amazing but shortened life. Rest in peace my dear colleague. Xx

Dearest Rhondda your were the light for Midwifery students and your love for all those whose lives you touched will be forever remembered by many.
Thank you for your guidance during my student life and being there whenever you were needed.
RIP and fly with the Angels
Robynne Hubbard (Herewini)

I knew Rhondda since she guided me in delivery unit as a new midwife in 1975.Many happy memories of a talented and kind hearted midwife and woman .Wil be sadly missed .Liz Davies

Rhondda, you were such a wonderful person coming into ours lives, making homebirth such a wonderful experience that I had to do it again! You are remembered as I turn the pages of my boy's photo memories. The last baby will be 21 this year! We will be sure to raise a glass to you on this day and a week later for the other one who turns 25! You helped me breathe, for the first breath of my babies. May you breathe easy now. Peace, wonderful memories and love to your family. - Vicki

Ah Rhondda I have grateful and fond memories ..., may you fly well in the next.... Jude

You were an amazing colleague and midwife. You taught me so much. Always smiling and laughing - RIP. Taken far too soon xxx

Always had such a beautiful smile, no matter the circumstances, and stress.
Will miss her.

This is such sad news - this day we lose an amazing midwife, an inspirational colleague and a wonderful woman who has touched thousands of lives. Sarah Ballard, NZCOM Auckland region.

I had the pleasure of working with Rhondda as a colleague and when I had my last baby I asked her to be my midwife, so of course she holds a very special place in my heart.
Warm, witty and kind...she was the bomb!
Thoughts are with Dennis and their daughters.

Really appreciated your support and amazing wisdom following my arrival from UK in 1996 and enhancing my knowledge of midwifery/maternity care in NZ. Will always remember the wise wisdom and the smile. My thoughts are with your family and friends at this time. Nimisha Waller

My Dearest Friend of 52 years .From our early nursing years and flatting together...to our years as wives and mothers and finally retirement and grandmothers. We shared our lives openly and there was no better friend to sort through the current dilemmas' cry ,smile and laugh .I will miss our catch ups...shoe shopping, road trips but mostly I will miss you. Your openness and honesty, your love and caring. Your absolute dedication to your pregnant mothers. .your huge generous open loving spirit .I felt so privileged to be your friend.
My love and thoughts to Dennis , Catherine ,Annah and Andrea who will miss her even more.
Diana

An amazing midwife, always a smile.

I first met Rhondda as a new graduate midwife on the delivery unit at ACH. She left a huge impression on me with her kindness, fun, and love. She was a wonderful midwife, who despite the many births she witnessed over the years, still shed the odd tear at the miracle of birth. I'm sure she will be sorely missed by her family and friends. My warmest sympathies go to you all.

A truly beautiful soul. I'm so glad I met you Rhondda xxx

Rhondda you touched so many people’s lives in so many different ways! Gone way too soon. Sincere condolences to all your family and friends.
Sharon Weir

I’ve just heard the very sad news that our wonderful midwife has passed away. She delivered all three of our boys and although we haven’t seen her in so many years we feel like she holds a special place in our wee family. Thank you so much for expertly and safely delivering our babies Rhondda. Love from Roger, Vanessa, Jack, Munro and Kinnear Harper. X

Aunty Rhondda, your love, laughter and kindness will remain forever in my heart. From the red sign on the glass door at 20 Wallace St, the paper streamers you threw off the big boat that I treasured as they faded before you returned, the neck-deep long hot baths we had outside in the Parnell shed, the sweet smell of Patchouli oil, your love for Mr Beard, the sounds of Leonard Cohen echoing through Williamson Ave, your precious love of Catherine & Annah, your dedication and love for mammas and babies, your sage advice throughout my pregnancies, your raucous laughter with tears, your trips to the Auckland airport when I flew through - to snatch precious moments together, our FaceTime chats and giggles, your absolute sheer joy about being a grandmama to the gorgeous Sebastian and Margot, your generosity of spirit and steadfast support and love through all of my life, and of my mum’s too. Oh how I will miss everything about you being here with us. Much love and white light to you and yours D, C and A from me and mine (Yaiyai and Bri, Pamorn & Whitney, Tussy & Chris, Jak and I)

Rhonda, I am devastated! You were an amazing Friend, Midwife and mentor, your encouraging words meant so much to me and I will remember them forever. I hope we will meet again.
Love Amber xx

Omg, what terrible news, am stunned and saddend to hear this for Europe. Rhondda gave her whole working life to the women she cared for, she also inspired many midwives to be the midwives they are now, what loss to her family who sacrificed so much because thier mum/grandma was a midwife. But the whanuas and midwives of NZ gained so much from her sacrifice, such a great loss to everyone who ever meet and loved Rhondda.

Rhonda always had a smile and a kind word. She was much loved by her cleagues as well as the women she cared for and had a brilliant sense of humor.
I will remember forever her telling the story about her handbag, purchased in Singapore or Hong Kong when en route to visit her daughter in Norway, we decided it was an "heirloom".
Dear Rhonda, you were far too young to die.
Love
Paddy

KERINS, Rhondda Margaret (nee Francis). We shall miss your vibrancy, witicisms, spontaneity and zest for living. You always made us laugh. You left us too early, we had so much more to do! We will miss you terribly. Love you forever. Carol, Helen, Richard.

KERINS, Rhondda Margaret (nee Francis). My beloved sister left us bereft on 28 December 2020, aged 72. She lived with generosity, compassion and laughter. Cherished aunt to our daughter, Nicole Rhondda Hitchcock (Cairns) and our son, Ciaran Joseph Harman (Baltimore). She gave to me, her sister Elizabeth Harman (nee Francis), a lifelong bond built on our very earliest memories together in Whangarei with our mother Nancy Parkin (nee Weston). She gave her brother-in-law Frank Harman (Cairns) a love of yoga and the joy of our shared house at Marunui, Mangawhai. She was and will always be, a beacon for our mob of siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, in-laws and grandies in NZ and distant places. My deepest condolences to Dennis, Catherine, Annah and Andrea. Rhondda was your heart and you were hers. There is no forgetting.

KERINS, Rhondda (nee Francis). Passed away on December 28, 2020. My darling sister left us too fast aged 72. Much cherished and adored. A sweetheart who cared selflessly for her family, friends and through her long and distinguished career as a midwife. We'll miss her dearly. Huge love from Pamela, Murray, Jesse, Jay and brother Noel.