Cheryl Rosalind La Hood

On behalf of my sister Yvonne & myself, it is an honour & privilege to say Cheryl La Hood is our sister…

To Ron, Lois, Yvonne and to all of Cheryl's family, my deepest sympathy to you in the passing of Cheryl. I have fond memories of Cheryl in my high school days at Logan Park. Our thoughts are with you all. Stacy and Carl

For Cheryl La Hood’s Page on the Hope and Son’s webpage. Cheryl La Hood had already established her teaching prowess, literary knowledge and teaching reputation with special interests in theatre production, public speaking and debating, when I joined her in the English Department in 1978. By that time, Cheryl had been teaching English at King Edward Technical College before it morphed into Logan Park High School from 1975. She had already introduced students to school and regional debating and speech competitions and had established a yearly NZ Speech Board exam for LPHS students interested in developing their confidence and communication skills for the future. And there were many takers. Cheryl’s quick wit, confidence in the classroom, sense of humour, honed debating and speaking skills were obvious inside and outside of the classroom. For example, she often took the role of the event announcer for the school’s Sports Day at the Logan Park Oval, keeping warm inside a parked car on site, with a microphone in her hand and the timetable propped up on the dashboard on a clipboard to guard against the changing Dunedin, summer day temperatures. In 1985, Cheryl also co-directed a brilliant English Department theatre production, written by Thornton Wilder, called “Our Town”. Gillian Dempster wrote in her 1985 LPHS Magazine Theatre review …” we couldn’t have done it without our wonderful helpers - Mrs Campbell, Mrs Reid and Ms La Hood, your direction kept the audience on its toes…. Thanks for letting the cast have a perfectly lovely experience. I really felt quite moved to tears.” “Staff Notes” in the 1987 LPHS Magazine farewell Cheryl in term 2, 1986 when she left LPHS to take a job in the English Department at Otago Girls’ High School: “…she had already made a valuable contribution to Logan Park High School and King Edward Technical College and will be very much missed in so many areas including, drama, debating, public speaking and girls’ cricket. Girls’ cricket? I didn’t remember this. But then I read the 1986 girls’ cricket team article with the writer commenting that Ms La Hood “is exceptionally keen and will add much spirit”. So, it was possibly a plan to coach girls’ cricket because of her commitment to girls’ education. how enterprising she was, as well as self-assured, collaborative and confident about her own talents that she could share. Cheryl was also involved in Women’s Studies issues raised at the time – and part of the LPHS Women’s Staff group that met to vote an end the caning of boys at LPHS before it was removed nationally. I felt Cheryl’s absence from room 3 and the English Department for quite some time but I had gained a very good friend as well and we kept in touch over many years, not just through the English Teachers’ Association and PPTA events but because we shared a lot of social interests, views, friends and social commitments. I last saw Cheryl a couple of months ago at Brae-view Home in Mosgiel – and she said to me quite seriously at one point that she was looking to find the key to the mystery of life. I encouraged her to keep looking. We paused and then laughed at our empathy. It is an even fonder memory now. All the best to Ron and Cheryl’s devoted whanau. Jane Johnson

To our Darling Cheryl, Yvonne, Lois, and Ron. Auntie Cheryl, was the person and role model my parents chose as my Godmother. I am so blessed to have had that connection with her. One of my fondest memories of Cheryl when I was in my 20s, was being a student teacher, and as serendipity had it, placed me in the hands of her dear friend and Colleague Janice Sinclair at Otago Girls. I was so blessed to have been able to spend that time with both Cheryl and Janice, learning from such great woman of wisdom (masters of their profession). It was honestly the best delight being able to have lunch in the staff room with them both and just listen to them talk, laugh and share knowledge. Our Son Kahlil was so lucky to have met Cheryl and hugged her and felt that big bear love. We celebrated you, Cheryl from afar today, always sending love to you and all. Whakapapa is beautiful. May you rest in the good company of our whanau on a different level of consciousness. Much Aroha to you and all, Simone (your God daughter) Xxx

Cheryl taught Georgie, my daughter at Logan Park and Cheryl and I were contemporaries on the Council of Otago Polytechnic in the early 90's. Much of Cheryl rubbed off on Georgie who still meets life's challenges with those rubbings - determination, integrity, curiosity, and humour. I appreciated Cheryl's contributions as an OP Councillor - they were very student focused and enhanced by her critical thinking, experience as an educator, and her communication skills. I feel privileged to have worked along side Cheryl and to have had her support and friendship at that time.

To Ron, Lois, Yvonne and to all of Cheryl's family, Sending blessings and condolences on the sad passing of your precious Partner, Sister, and Aunty. A woman who touched many lives and meant so much to all those she loved and to those who loved her. We are forever thankful to Cheryl and Uncle Joe La Hood for writing "Threads - a memoir of an immigrant family" ensuring that not only our generation but the future generations of our family can understand and connect to our history and ancestors. We recall Cheryl sending to Mum (Margaret) her drafts of the chapter that contained details about Mum's life, for Mum to review and check before it went to print. She was a treasured cousin of Margaret, and they had a special bond. We wish we could be with you today to celebrate Cheryl’s life, and are sending all our love from Auckland at this sad time. Lisa, Jami & Tara Williams

To Ron, Lois, Yvonne and to all Cheryl's family, At a time in my life when I needed an empathetic and friendly teacher it was Cheryl who filled that roll. My weekly visits to her beautiful house in high street I remember as productive and happy times. Cheryl tutored me in English and gave me a love for words at a time when school was less than appealing to me. I am not sure if I ever thanked her enough for her light in the darkness but I am very thankful for it. My mother Pauline is 92 now and lives with me in Auckland, we will join in as you say goodbye to dear Cheryl and celebrate her lifetime of achievements. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Liane and Pauline Farry

A truly inspiring woman who will be sadly missed. I remember the long conversations at Auntie Angie's with you Cheryl, the talk of literature and the mutual love of words. Your travel to Lebanon later inspired my travel there. Rest in peace x

To Ron, Lois and Yvonne and to all Cheryl's family and friends, my sincerest and most heartfelt condolences. I have many fond memories of times spent with dear cousin Cheryl but my fondest memory is when she visited Lebanon. I am writing this message from Lebanon now as I vividly recall that visit. We cried and laughed and we cried and laughed some more. We shared deep reflections on our lives, our family and our community. We had such a magic time on that visit. Another time, following a presentation I had delivered, Cheryl overheard someone giving me some negative feedback. Once the person had moved on, she rushed over to me and said "I wouldn't listen to her, you were brilliant." Thank you for your kindness, your support and your brilliance! Rest in Power! Love and respect Cousin Matt

Cheryl was one of those rare, great teachers that transport you to where you want and need to go. I asked her a question one day about a book I was reading and she offered me lessons. I was 14 years old and jumped at the chance. She loved literature and poetry and was a writer. I looked forward to my amazing lessons at Cheryl's beautiful flat filled with books, in the big old house on High St with the huge green hedge. Her lessons opened my eyes, and looking back, I now know that they were designed to do just that. I loved how Cheryl embraced Dunedin as her home. Instead of looking for her community elsewhere, she lived her innate sense of community right there in Dunedin. She never stopped teaching and doing and helping and creating. She asked me at a very young age why I thought our parents were never depressed, or at least never intimated or acted as if they were. She answered, "because they lived a life of service and that gives meaning to your life". She was right. Thank you my brilliant and loving cuz. So much love and respect for you always. Rest in Power. Marcelle XX

Our love and prayers for beautiful cousin Cheryl, always friendly, always interested and a warm loving cuzzie. Lois, Yvonne and Ron, sending love, hugs and comfort to you. A truly beautiful daughter of my dear Aunty Ange. Lovely memories of visiting in High Street. A special memory of my cuzzies making Muckshee in Auntie Ange's kitchen - so neat and uniform! I have tried to make mine the same since. Rest in Peace beautiful Cheryl. x

Please accept our sincere condolences on Cheryl’s passing . As a family we are very grateful for her assistance and friendship especially to our mother and Kath and Paulette . We are aware how kind your family was to ours and we will always remember and appreciate that . Cheryl had a deep belief and sense of community and lived by those beliefs . Regretfully we will not be able to attend the funeral but our thoughts and prayers are with you .Michael and Liz Nidd and family