Russell MARSHALL Obituary

Russell was my 4th cousin, and we were separated by the Tasman Sea, but met through our shared love of family history. First by online communication, and then the wonderful pleasure of attending the Grooby family's "150 years in New Zealand reunion", held in 1993. I also bought Russell's book about the Grooby family, which continues as my main reference for our Grooby ancestors. We last spoke in London in 2004, when he was High Commissioner, and I was visiting. I shall miss Russell, and his knowledge, and his humour. Vale from Annette Forster (Australia)

My dear friend across the aisle; we were of the same mind a lot of the time. I don´t ever forget your support and kindness, and it was good to see you and Barbara again so recently.

It was a long time ago, but the support, advice and help Russell gave during the setting up of the Cambodia Trust will forever be remembered. He understood the tears of Cambodia that followed Pol Pot and the Killing Fields. Under his guidance, the Cambodia Trust raised funds, established clinics in Cambodia and gave new limbs, new life and hope to thousands of Cambodian landmine amputees. With gratitude, we will forever remember Russell, a friend indeed to New Zealand´s Cambodian community.

Niborom Young
Former Trustee Cambodia Trust

Farewell Russell.

We are all walking in the footsteps of those who have gone before. For those seeking a more fair and equitable society, Russell´s footsteps are large ones to be following.

At a political level, in the turbulent 1970s, Russell Marshall M.P. - the `Red Reverend´ - was an important supporter and ally of the Halt All Racist Tours movement (H.A.R.T.). During the life of the Third Labour Government (1972-75), we worked together enthusiastically to support Norman Kirk´s increasingly committed stance on Southern African issues. On the Opposition benches from 1975-84, Russell was calm, determined and effective as he fronted up to the prevailing dangerous populism of the day. He could always be relied upon.

At a personal level, Russell was a good and supportive friend, offering at various times both moral and practical support. In his 1975 Christmas card to us he had written `I only wish Parliament was sitting in January. My language is getting worse, my patience even shorter. See you in prison!´ Such messages were very cheery to receive.

One of the best times we spent together was in 1994 over the period of South Africa´s first non-racial, democratic elections. Attending Nelson Mandela´s inauguration with Russell and Barbara was one of those days I will never forget.

Kia kaha Barbara, Sam, Phil and Tim. Patti and I send heartfelt condolences.

Please accept my deep condolences for the passing of a great man. I knew him first as Foreign Minister while I was Deputy High Commissioner in Fiji during the 1987 coups where he was a great support through difficult times. And when I was Permanent Delegate to UNESCO in Paris 1992-1996, he was Chair of the NZ National Commission, a role to which he brought not only his broad humanitarian beliefs but also his determination to refocus UNESCO on the Pacific which had been missing. He engaged incredibly well and with good humour with the diverse range of countries represented at the General Conferences and on the Executive Board. He was a wonderful person.

Russell & I were MPs with same surname in neighbouring electorates of Wanganui & Rangitikei but in opposing political parties. That led to a bit confusion at times! But we got on very well together and I always appreciated his calm & friendly personality. He made a great contribution to New Zealand as a Government Minister and High Commissioner. My deepest sympathy and condolences to all his family at his passing.

Russells death has bought back many memories of your time at Halswell Road living next to Betty & Cyril Cooper and family(Margaret, Eleanor John and Keith). Thought with you and family Barbara. Margaret Snelling.

This is just a personal note to extend to Russell's family sincere condolences and deepest sympathy in the recent sad loss of a much-loved husband, brother, father and grandfather. No words can really touch the grief and sadness that you feel, but I am sure the kindness and support of family and friends will be of comfort at this sad time.

Russell was a Labour parliamentary colleague of mine from 1981-1990, and a ministerial colleague 1987-1990. He was an inspiration to me and other young members of the Labour Party from the time he entered Parliament in 1972. He was always a progressive, and brought those values to his posts as Minister of Education and then of Foreign Affairs. My government was proud to appoint Russell as New Zealand High Commissioner to the United Kingdom. Russell's family can all be proud of his immense contribution to public life. Deepest sympathies to all.

So many memories and outlooks/values sharrd A true tsngatire of worth and mama.

I met Russell just after I arrived in NZ in 1986 and worked as a research assistant on the curriculum review he'd initiated. He impressed me because of the interest he took in each of us who worked in the big open-plan office at the bottom of the Old Wooden Building where the data entry was happening. For years afterwards I met him in various roles, including when he was Chancellor of VUW, and he still remembered my name from that first meeting years earlier as a research assistant, and later as I continued to work in early childhood education. He always had a big smile and time for a chat. I have extremely high respect for him, his achievements, and his support for early childhood policy. Thank you Russell.

Russell joined the fairly new NZSG (established 1967) and in 1968 was member no. 94. He was friends with Jonathan Hunt, also a Member of Parliament. During the next 25 years he did very
little research, but in 1990 after a long career in local and national government Russell Marshall retired from politics, settled in Paremata, and rekindled his interest in genealogy.
He set about writing up his Motueka GROOBY Family and in 1992 decided that instead of going to an NZSG branch meeting in Kapiti or Wellington, it might be worth trying to establish one in Porirua. He called a meeting of local residents interested in forming a branch of the NZSG and held a public meeting on the 14th April 1993 and was elected as the first branch convenor.
Pam Edmonds, who was elected to the Committee at that same first meeting recalls that Russell "was a very approachable person. He was a mine of information and even though he was a very busy person, he still made time for anyone who had struck a brick wall and needed help."
The very first Porirua branch newsletter published in June 1994 included a `Who´s Who In the Branch´ and the entry for Russell was as follows:
"Russell Marshall (Branch Convenor, NZSG #94) lives in Paremata. He is hoping to publish his history of the Grooby family of Nottinghamshire and Motueka before the end of the year. That should give more time for research on families from Alton (Hampshire), Southeast London, Stonehouse and Stroud (Gloucestershire), Worcester, Banff
and Edinburgh. He uses the Personal Ancestral File (PAF) computer programme."
Russell did publish his Grooby family history (a copy of which is in the Porirua Library) but not until 2001, no doubt due to the many distinguished post-Parliamentary roles he held which also caused him to relinquish the Convenorship of the branch in 1995.

Barb, please accept my sincere condolences. Continuing to think of you through this challenging time.

So sorry to hear this. Aroha to Barbara and the family. I always loved the chats with Russell over the years. An important man who contributed a lot to NZ and our culture.

Kia ora,
Thinking of you Barbara and family and remembering Russell and his contribution to education particularly for Whitireia.
Take care
Nga mihi nui
Heather

I first met Russell when he was at Theological College. When he was a Methodist Minister in Masterton he wrote to me asking how to join The Labour Party. He had a great career putting Methodist social teachings in to practice. My deepest condolences to Barbara and Family. Colin Chiles

Barbara and Family
Thinking of you during this sad time.
Farib

To Barbara and family. Thinking of you at this time. You were an amazing couple and we are saddened by your loss.

Barbara my deepest sympathy to you and your family.

You were such a wonderful wife to Russell.

I enjoyed meeting you at the group.

I would see Russell sometimes when I visited my Mother Anne he was always so nice with a grin.