Lydia Anne O'Dwyer

You introduced me to Elizabeth Kubler Ross in 96. Inspiring words of her wisdom. Death is simply a shedding of the physical body, like the butterfly emerging from its cocoon It's a transition to a higher state of consciousness. We will heal, but we will never be the same nor should we be, for grief is the price of deep love. The ones we love never truly leave us. They simply change form, & continue to love us in a different way. It's the love that goes on, not the pain. When we've passed the tests we were sent to learn, we are allowed to graduate, to return home, soul unbound,love intact. Thank God & Thank You

I could say so much. 30 yrs have passed since we met, I was in a bad way. You saved my life. I often wondered where you were. I spoke about you often, about how you helped me find my way. Hugs and Aroha go with you. ThanQ so very much

Dear Lydia, your kindness and way of knowing exactly what was needed left its mark on so many people, and your friendship meant the world to me. We shared fabulous times in our twenties - Merivale Lane, Park Terrace, Yaldhurst Road, The Chateau! Memories imprinted forever of your loving and caring, giving and sharing soul. Go well my old friend.

Lydia, I was so looking forward to catching up with you next week, like I always did when Fei said you would be visiting. Thank you for always been generous with your time. I loved our chats and hearing your perspective on things. I loved how you were unapologetic but how your authenticity never made it feel harsh or judgy. That is a bloody skill! I see your traits in all your children - yet they are all fiercely themselves - another impressive skill to have. If only we could have all had a mother like you! Something I often said to Fei over the years. I can only hope to be as good as you in that area. This poem makes me think of you in this way. Rest in power Lydia. Your children are not your children They are the sons and daughters of life's longing for itself They come through you but not from you And though they are with you yet they belong not to you You may give them your love but not your thoughts For they have their own thoughts You may house their bodies but not their souls For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow Which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams You may strive to be like them But seek not to make them like you For life goes not backward, nor tarries with yesterday You are the bows from which your children As living arrows are sent forth The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite And he bends you with his might That his arrows may go swift and far Let your bending in the archer's hand be for gladness For even as he loves the arrow that flies So he loves also the bow that is stable - Kahlil Gibran

I have only just learnt of Lydia’s death as I am the other side of the world right now. I was lucky enough to work alongside Lydia when she started at Moana House and I really enjoyed bumping into her around Dunedin in the subsequent years. She was incredibly bright and funny and caring and will be hugely missed by many.

I learnt of Lydia's death too late to get to the funeral. The last time I saw Lydia was in the supermarket in May, she was wearing a beautiful cardigan and we had a conversation about it.Over the years I had contact with Lydia in both her professional role at Moana House but before that socially when she lived in Port, she walked her own path and was generous with sharing her life experience. Much love to you Mauraka and whanau

Queen, Priestess, Warrior. What a woman you were Lydia. Self possessed, intelligent, wise, gentle, principled, firm. I admired you Lydia. Many people wander aimlessly through life, you fullfilled your calling. I feel like you are gone too soon, but who I am to say such a thing. I can only imagine what your next mission will be. Arohanui Warrior Queen.

I was very sorry to hear of Lydia's passing - my thoughts and aroha are with her whanau. I hadn't seen Lydia in a long time - but value the time that we spent together. Her wonderful laugh, sense of fun, generosity and kindness are truly memorable. You lived life well my friend.

Aroma kotou ka whanau mate.

Дорогая Лидия, Мы с Вами знакомы двенадцать лет, но встретились только в этом году. И все эти годы я была и остаюсь Вам безмерно благодарна за ту любовь и заботу, что вы дарили моему сыну, а последние годы и нашей с Вами внучке. Я всегда буду хранить в своём сердце благодарность Вам, а в своей памяти Ваш светлый, спокойный и душевный образ. Прошу Бога принять Вас в царствии своём ибо душе Вашей место среди добра и света. Скорбь наша безмерна... Oxana Plaksey, Vasilii Gubushkin

So shocking to hear of your passing Lydia. You were a good talented woman who gave it away. I am grateful of the time we spent together and sad you are gone. God bless and condolences to your whānau love sarah

Dear Lydia, to have known you is to have been truly blessed. In my teenage years your gifts of kindness and strength gave encouragement when it was needed most. This from the book 'Echoes of Memory': May the nourishment of the earth be yours, may the clarity of the light be yours, may the fluency of the oceans be yours, may the protection of the ancestors be yours. My deep sympathy to your nearest and dearest, family and friends. You will always dazzle and live within the brightest colours of my memories.