Catherine Colquhoun (Cath) Donaldson

Thinking of you at this time Peter, Katrina and Claire + families. Unfortunately we weren't able to make it down to Aunty Cath's funeral, but we were able to catch up online. I have great memories of visiting Fulton Road in the 1980s-90s for the Donaldson reunions (as a keen gardener now, I would probably have appreciated the garden tours more). We would also see them again in East Taieri in more recent years, when we were visiting our other aunty and uncle. We couldn't visit one set without the other. Going out for lunch as a family was always a hoot as well, with so many hard of hearing in one room. Or were they pretending when the waiter brought the bill out. "What was that?" We would always receive $5 and a birthday card like clockwork, growing up over the years, the day before our birthdays. She was a well organised person, given the growing size of the family over the years. I enjoyed seeing great photos of Lex and Cath with family on this webpage. They sure got about over the years. I remember waking up in the middle of the night in New Zealand to watch All Black's 145-17 win over Japan at the 1995 Rugby World Cup in South Africa. After the game I saw Lex and Cath walking across the field.

Peter, Katrina & Claire, What a wonderful tribute to Cath today. While there are pros and cons to all the marvels of modern technology, live streaming deals very effectively with the tyranny of distance and I felt priveleged to watch and listen to all the wonderful words spoken today about your mum. To me, your mum and dad were the best aunty and uncle in law anyone could wish for. Willie's (Maureen's) and my visits to Dunedin were all too few, but Cath and Lex always made them special and very memorable. The parable of the sausages summed it up for me. Cath had a wonderfully wicked sense of fun. In that vein, there's one photo in particular it will be interesting to hear more about.... Thanks Cath for enriching our lives the way you did. Travel well. Rick

What fortune for me to have had Cath as my great aunt. You are an inspriation, Cath and I will treasure your memory. Peter, Katrina, Claire and families, I'm sending you my thoughts and love. Thank you for the wonderful tributes you paid to our amazing Cath today - I have cherished hearing your stories and these further reminders of what a great life Cath led, and the laughter, mischief, adventure and love that she spread. -Mike

To Claire and family ❤️ lovely memories and times Claire from all your OGHS friends. Your parents were very special. Memories of holiday in Alexandra with your folks, your Mum’s mini car, walking to school with you carrying packages of roses, Fulton Road rumpus room antics, sleepovers and more. Your mum was always so chilled, relaxed and welcoming. I was always intrigued by her ability to do the ODT cryptic crosswords, so much so that I do them myself now as an adult. Such an amazing legacy Cath and Lex… all the grandchildren and great grandkids. Truly to aspire to. ❤️ Love from Nicola Maguire, nee Jones.

Hi Peter, Katrina and Claire, further to Lesley’s beautiful message, your parents were the special type of people you just had to call Auntie and Uncle. After so many nights sitting up late learning how to play 500 from some masterly tutors. Then in the wee small hours we were woken up and bundled into the cars and taken home, it was not as if we lived just around the corner either, we all came from every different corner of Dunedin, It was no wonder that we grew up more like cousins than some of our real cousins. Your parents had a wonderfully long marriage together. I bet there will be some long awaited card games about to be played (or replayed) now that they are all together again. Thanks for the memories. Ian (Fred)+ Raeleen Gaudin and all our families x

Good morning Peter, Katrina, Claire and families, With special memories of an era that included your wonderful parents, the Gaudins, Calders and Darracotts: picnics nearly every weekend, unless there was a late nighter of cards and rugby games form South Africa : salted peanuts, fish pies and pavlova as we all were bundled into sleepovers somewhere in the house. As young adults we mirrored each other in our careers, overseas travels and journeys home to recreate & modernise these 50's & 60's memories and lifestyles. And remembering the special role your Mother played in all these. Since then I met up with your parents in London, Auckland and at many family events since. I love your tribute to Lex & their love, partnerships & travel With love from our family Lesley Cowie - Madge & Sid Gaudin's daughter

Hello Family of Cath. What a great life Cath had with Lex. unfortunately I cannot come to the funeral (I Live in Chch) However I will watch online. I did enjoy the 70th Wedding anniversary, and I have been to visit since. Love the fact you have asked for Bright clothing. A Celebration of a great life! Love to you all. Happy memories of Cath & Lex. Love Margaret Burton(Daughter of Eva Donaldson)

Good morning... what an amazing life your parents lived. We came to know them in 1977 when we came to the Valley. We had a piece of land and built a home and large garden. Lex was so helpful and it was a delight to get to know them.. We still live in the Valley pretty much next door. With Cath coming from Port Chalmers and I came from Sawyers Bay , felt a connection.. We have great memories of them both.. Our thoughts go out to you all. Ruth and Bryan Foster