Newspaper Article 2013 – Nurse who discovered talent for art

Obituary

Nurse who discovered talent for art

Veronica Nora Burns
30.7.24 To 19.10.12

By Shirley Duthie

Veronica Burns was one of those visitors to New Zealand who came for a short stay that became permanent. She served her adopted country as a senior staff nurse in the (then) Hastings Coronary Care; as goat breeder; craftswoman; and, in the later years of her life, uncovered a strong talent as an artist.

Vera was born in Cork City, County Cork, Ireland, on July 30, 1924.

She went to Birmingham, England during the last years of World War II and completed her nursing training there.

She married but was left a very young widow when her husband George died.

After George’s death she embarked on a long voyage to New Zealand by sea to visit with her brother Fred.

Veronica arrived in New Zealand 54 years ago intending to stay for two months.

Brother Fred, who was responsible for introducing the schnauzer dog breed into New Zealand in the 1950s, flatted with Larry.

Both men had served with the New Zealand Air Force.

Larry and Vera fell in love and married in 1958.

As they raised their five children, there were dog breeding and kennel ventures, an orchard nursery and a market garden. Once the children were older Veronica returned to nursing at the Hastings Memorial Hospital, eventually being appointed Staff Sister in the Coronary Care Unit.

Their property at Bridge Pa consisted of pine trees, infertile soil and rough grass. It was Veronica’s idea to farm goats starting with a pair of Saanen milking goats which eventually supplied a small elite market with fresh goat’s milk.

Then came breeding Angora goats, for which their Bridge Pa property was ideal.

All her married life Veronica experimented with natural dyes, spinning, knitting and weaving her own mohair items.

The goat herd increased to 80, necessitating a shift to Tikokino and the building of a studio to house the very large loom used for weaving.

Eventually the boom years for goat farming passed, retirement beckoned and finally Veronica had time to re-discover her long unused talent of painting,

As it happened, Veronica Burns turned out to be a very competent water colour artist.

She is remembered by the Napier Arts Club members as “talented”, “well-liked”, a “team player”.

Sadly a stroke at the end of 2011 put an end to her painting.

All through her life Veronica was a popular, active member of the Catholic Church, admired for her energy and initiative.

She enjoyed occasional visits back to Ireland to spend time with her siblings, boasting proudly of the three generations of her New Zealand family – “her boys and girls”, as she called them.

Veronica never lost her sharp Irish wit.

Her children remember her calling out to pedestrians crossing in front of her car, “Quick mate or I’ll cut your water off.”

And jokingly to her children when they were being a bit smart, “careful or I’ll give you a bunch of fives!”

Veronica spent the last months of her life as a resident of Duart House, Havelock North where she was lovingly cared for by her husband, Larry.

Her memory lives on in her family, her friends, those she nursed and in the paintings that grace many homes.

Compiled from information from the Burns family and friends.

Photo caption – Veronica Nora Burns