Winifred PLUMMER Obituary

Freda and my Grandma (Doreen Pearson) met during teacher training in the UK which they completed between 1944-1946. When I was young my Grandma used to show me the photo album from her trip to New Zealand, they used to exchange calendars at Christmas and I used to like looking at the beautiful New Zealand landscapes. In 2014 (with my grandma also getting old) I visited New Zealand and decided to deliver the calendar in person. I turned up unannounced just before a bell ringing concert! Freda was very shocked but so kind and welcoming. I came back and visited again in 2018, this time with a bit more notice, she made me a cup of tea and we talked about my grandma, their time training and her boat passage to New Zealand. I read some of her stories - one which was about my visit in 2014! I was hoping to visit and see Freda again, but am so grateful for these experiences, her love and kindness even though I was a stranger, and that I got to meet one of my grandma's friends who I heard so many stories about :-) RIP lovely Freda <3

Freda and her sister Vicky met my father at Exmouth Teacher Training College in the UK, during the one year emergency teacher training course which followed the war years. They and their parents became firm friends with my parents and consequently our families, but Freda and Vicky then took the ten pound ticket to New Zealand to seek pastures new, followed in greater style by their parents, so our contact became less frequent, but they both returned to England for holidays from time to time to renew old acquaintances and I was welcomed by Freda at her lovely home in Howick during the Commonwealth Games, together with Vicky and her husband who had flown up from the South Island. I'm not sure when Freda visited the UK last, but in 2000 our daughter Andrea and her husband Matthew stayed with her at her new home at Highland Park. We've maintained annual newsletters between us, sometimes more often, and were thinking about the regular exchange of Christmas cards when the sad news came that Freda had died after a stay in hospital. She was a generous spirit who thrived on contact with people and I would dearly love to have experienced her as a teacher ~ no doubt her lessons were full of fun and laughter.

It was lovely to be able to go to NZ to see Freda, albeit 20 years ago! Freda was the one normally travelling to the UK but she welcomed us with open arms and took us on a lovely drive around the area.
I shall really miss her Christmas letters. They could only be read sitting down with a cuppa.
Such a positive lady. Really pleased to have known her.

Freda was a beautiful soul and a lovely lady. I had the pleasure of meeting her many years ago when I had found out we had relatives in NZ and I was travelling over there. I can still hear Freda say when I asked to visit her "The Canadians are coming! The Canadians are coming"! From all your Canadian relatives May you rest rest in peace Freda.

Thank you freda for being such an inspirational leader of the rainbow ringers. Your music and encouragement gave a lot of joy to many including my mother, minnie ough dealy.

"We were very sorry to hear of Freda's passing. She was one of the loveliest people we have had the privilege of knowing. Forthright and strong, she was such an inspiration and she leaves so many happy memories . Sincerely from
Minnie and Martin Ough Dealy"

"We were very sorry to hear of Freda's passing. She was one of the loveliest people we have had the privilege of knowing. Forthright and strong, she was such an inspiration and she leaves so many happy memories . Sincerely from
Minnie and Martin Ough Dealy"

RIL Freda. Many of your Home Ec girls remember you today. ❤