Newspaper Article 2005 – Bay personality always had time for community

OBITUARY

Bay personality always had time for community

THELMA DOROTHY BATKINS
1929-2005

For mother, grandmother, companion and community enthusiast, becoming a wallflower watching the changes happening over the 70 years she lived in the region, was far from the list of daily tasks for the late Thelma Dorothy Batkins.

After surviving a heart attack in 2002, Thelma was diagnosed with cancer in the back and passed away in July this year.

Photographs hang all around the house of Jim Batkins, her husband and best friend for 48 years.

Jim could describe without a second glance fond memories in each frame.

“She’s beautiful isn’t she, didn’t mind being in front of the camera,” Jim says as he chuckles away strolling along memory lane.

Born in Eltham in 1929, it wasn’t too long before Thelma’s family were lured to Takapau, the place where her seed of addiction to the bay was first planted.

The roots of that seed soon spread to Waipawa where Thelma lived until her adolescent years found her at Napier Girls’ High School.

The working world saw Thelma in her first job as a secretary with Hastings enterprise JB Gould accountants and in 1954 she then boarded a ship bound for England.

Jim admitted her journey OE must have got off to a good start as she happened to meet her husband-to-be on board and brought home the ultimate souvenir.

The happy couple were married in January 1957 at St Lukes church Havelock North.

A few years passed and daughter, Fiona and son Andrew were born, and Thelma’s desire to be an active parent meant she found time to be the vice president of the local Plunket society.

Her relationship with Plunket for over 30 years was just one example of Thelma’s dedication to the community and this was evident in the amount of years she spent supporting various other groups in the region.

One of Thelma’s extraordinary achievements included being the instigator in establishing the Plunket circle in 1976.

Presidency was not a foreign position for Thelma who was the president for the Plunket Circle for a total of 18 years, vice president of the Napier High School Old Girls’ society in 1993 then was elected as president of NHSOG for a further three years and was eventually honoured with a life membership.

Thelma’s talents were not just displayed in committee meetings as she was very handy with a tennis racket.

Jim, a keen lawn bowler, was quite proud of his wife’s achievements, and spoke fondly about Thelma’s other interests.

“I couldn’t play tennis if my life depended on it, in fact I can’t remember the last time I ever played but she loved it and was pretty good at it too.”

While Jim and Thelma had their differences, it was mentioned by a longtime friend that they were a team and were very proud of each other in every aspect.

Jim pointed out his awareness of the high divorce rate nowadays, a puzzled look came across his face.

“I don’t ever remember us ever having cross words in 48 of our 48 years together.”

A grin then appeared.

“Not that I remember anyway.”

Thelma was along [a long] time member of the St Matthews Church and the Trefoil club who help support the girl guides.

NHSOG president Mary Brownlie was familiar with the level of commitment Thelma displayed.

“She was a very dedicated, keen member for many years. She was bright and bubbly and always willing to help out.”

For the Beauty of the Earth was a song chosen for her funeral to reflect her love of the earth and gardening.

Jim still carries a verse which sums up his feelings for his beloved wife.

“You can close your mind, be empty and turn your back or you can do what she’d want. Smile, open your eyes, love and go on.”

Photo caption – THELMA Dorothy Batkins was an integral part of the Hastings community, known for her extraordinary dedication and bright personality.