WE WILL REMEMBER THEM
LEIGH, Raewynne Lynnette
Raewynne Leigh passed away aged 64 years in Waikato Hospital. Raewynne was a very keen Founders Waikato member, who attended all our meetings. She was the almoner for our Branch and made beautiful handcrafted cards when they were needed.
Raewynne spent her life working as a volunteer. At the time of her death she was still a Brownie Leader.
She spent many years on the Committee of the NZ Society of Genealogists, a regular member of St Aidans Church, a volunteer for Vinnies, the Waikato Federation of Womens Institute and an administrator of the Indoor Bowling club.
Raewynne will be sadly at our Founders meetings.
YULE, Judith (nee Butt),
Judith was born 17 May 1935, and died peacefully at Hastings Hospital Thursday 4 September 2025, aged 90, surrounded by her children Chris, Ralph, Mike, Kath and Nigel.
Hawke’s Bay Founders Branch was formed in 1979. Prior to her death, Judith was the last living “founding member”. Her ancestor, James Haldane Watt, arrived in Auckland in 1842.
Judith regularly attended Branch functions, and had the honour of cutting the Branch Anniversary cakes on the 30th and 40th Anniversaries. She will most certainly be missed by Hawke’s Bay Branch members.
MASON, George
Dr. George Mason passed away in September 2024.
George has been a valued member for 10 years with our group. He was a very generous philanthropist within the local community and with the Auckland University, supporting the arts, education and the environment. His trust fund will continue to support these ideals into the future.
The following tribute was posted on the Legacy memorials for George's family.
Taranaki Branch of NZ Founders wish to acknowledge George's membership over the last 10 years and his contribution to the vitality of our group. A lovely humble man who has achieved so much in his lifetime. Through his legacies and mentoring his memory will always remain in our community and within our group. RIP George, your work on earth has been amazingly well done.
GOVER, Adrian
It is with much sadness that we mark the passing of Reverend Canon Adrian Donald Gover (1936 - 2022)
Adrian Gover served as National President from 2013 to 2017, Waikato Branch President from 2012 to 2020 and received the Waikato Branch Service Award in 2018.
During his time as National President, he began the modernisation process of the Society with introducing tele-conferencing to a new structure for conducting Executive meetings.
His ancestors, Joseph & Rachel Duncan arrived on the "Fifeshire" to Nelson in 1842, and John & Mary Fowler on the "Indus" to Nelson in 1843.
