Ann Guilford

"A Tribute to Kathleen Anne O`Connor 2nd N.Z.E.F 815197 PTE N.Z.W.A.A.C"
By Jacqueline Novak

There are many words to describe my good friend Anne. She was vibrant, intelligent, tenacious, artistic, loyal and a compassionate woman who coupled these qualities with a fabulous sense of style and elegance. This style was evident in these later years when Alzheimers was changing Anne`s life. The layers of clothes were many, but they always matched. She could still "cut a dash". It is with a deep sense of sadness that I am here today to pay tribute to her colourful and diverse life. Anne was born on the 2nd of July 1921 to Alice and Leonard Guilford in Taumaranui and it was there that Anne spent her formative years and began her schooling. Anne later attended Hutt Valley High School and entered the workforce via a job in the Health Department. With the outbreak of World War 2 Anne joined the Army at Fort Dorset Wellington where she completed her nursing training before serving with the nursing corps at Helvan Hospital in Egypt and later on the hospital ship Orangic which repatriated prisoners from Indonesia. In this time Anne made the difference to many peoples lives and in a testament to this many nurses and patients remained in contact over the years. After the war the colourful journey continued as Anne and Red ran a home cookery. In 1956 they moved to Los Angeles where Anne worked for Prudential Insurance. This Company occupied the top floor of a building occupied by Orbachs where Anne had become a regular customer. so her wardrobe and sense of style expanded. Eventually Anne and Red returned home and Anne opened a home furnishing store," Anne O?Connor`s Distinctive Decors" Her entrepreneurial skills stretched to millinery and the export of sheep skins to America. After successfully running three business`s Anne switched back to her first interest in health and homeopathy. She devoured information on the subject fulfilling another passion, reading. She pursued her homeopathy by opening a health centre in Watson Street New Plymouth. Anne invested in this project the same zeal and energy with which she approached all aspects of her life. With a keen eye for detail and a memory to rival even an elephant Once Anne had her teeth into something there was little or no chance of her letting go. This was never more graphically displayed when Anne and Red built their current home. Anne was the self appointed clerk of works and as would happen mistakes were made. The spouting on one part of the house was never properly completed. It was Anne?s mission that this should be rectified. It took ten years but finally the builder capitulated and fixed the said spouting. Anne was happy. This ability to dot the eyes and cross T`s was also evident to a long an interesting relationship with the Inland Revenue. The ever growing stack of paper on the kitchen table signaled that it was that time of year again, TAX TIME, let the battle begin. Anne`s strong sense of justice was tempered with a caring nature that came to the fore through homeopathy. She had strong caring hands that could unknot tense muscles and massage away pain. I myself experienced this on many occasions, the most memorable of these being the birth of my daughter Elizabeth. Anne and Red came to visit us in the hospital. Red arrived as always, with food and Anne gave me a foot massage that took away that "hit by a truck" feeling that comes with one`s first birth experience. This caring extended to all members of our family even the dog,Tinker,who after an accident had a pin in his leg responded to her healing. And when able would take himself off to his own Health Centre for more treatment. Anne had also a great love an enjoyment of people and was never stuck for conversation and was blessed with a directness and sharp wit when combines would leave you with a clear understanding of how she felt on a particular subject. She had travelled widely and explored the World, she was passionate about recycling and looking after what we had. Anne saved everything and waste was not a word in her vocabulary. Finally as we gather here to say goodbye to the unique and independent person Anne was I am sad and relieved. Sad that her life is over, relieved that her struggle to live over the last six weeks is at an end and accorded her a far greater dignity that advancing Alzheimer's would have allowed. Red and his family express their sincere and grateful thanks to the wonderful nursing staff in wards one and twenty one at Taranaki Base hospital.