Helen Margaret Shaw

We were deeply saddened to hear of Helen's passing. We will always remember Helen for her kindness, generosity, and the special role she played in helping us uncover our family history. For many years, we knew that our grandfather had spent his holidays with the McInnes family at Kātiki, but many details of our heritage remained a mystery. After seeing her brother's death notice in the newspaper, we wrote to Helen, hoping she might be able to help. Her response solved that mystery and opened the door to a treasured part of our family's story. Helen generously shared a wealth of information about our heritage, including our family tree, photographs, letters, and even our great-grandfather William Barrie's parrot feathers. Through her kindness and willingness to share, she gave us a priceless connection to our past. Helen was a truly generous and thoughtful woman, and we will be forever grateful for her help, friendship, and the legacy she has left us. Kath Baynes and Yvonne Thompson

My father Frank Ross was Helen’s niece. I remember when he died very young in 1958 my sister and I visited Aunty Mary and uncle Mac on several occasions. We listened to a record Peter and the wolf. Still have memories of this. We moved to Dunedin and didn’t see them very often. I do remember Peter and Isobel. Please pass on my condolences to Helen’s family.

I had the honour and privilege of knowing Helen through Knox Church for many years. Then it was a great joy to see Helen again when i began a tenure as Chaplain at Ross Home. She was engaging, caring, intelligent and lovely to talk to. She will be very missed. I am quite sad to hear this news.

I was so sad to hear this morning of Helen’s death. I 1st met her in early 1972 when I joined her in the alto section of Knox Church Choir. Helen has been a very loyal supporter of the choir all her life and when she gave up singing, she became a very hardworking “Friend of Knox Choir”. In 1973 when Peter and I married the Knox organ was being rebuilt and out of commission - we were relying on recorded music for services. Helen was the official “organist” at our wedding putting numerous records on at the correct time!! Serving at Knox Church in many capacities has been a huge part of her life, which I’m sure others will reiterate. Every Christmas I still use her Christmas Mince Pie recipe - handwritten on personalised Taieri Rd notepaper! When she left her job as a scientist at Invermay and became a postie that move turned out to be the very best decision she’d ever made! She met Jim, and they were so very happy together giving Helen the very best and happiest years of her life. It was heartbreaking when he died after so few years together. She loved listening to the birds singing and she adored her cats and spoilt them so much! She was so very generous and kind. My heartfelt condolences especially to Barbara and Philippa - you have been amazing stepdaughters. Take comfort from knowing she so appreciated your love and kindness, she loved you all and valued all of your families so much.

I had the privilege of living next door to Helen for a number of years. She was the kindest and most generous person and we shared a love of animals and a good cuppa. I was so sad to hear the news today of her passing. My condolences to her family. Rest in love Helen.