Memories & Tributes

Anyone who knew mum, knew how great her laugh was. When she lived on Powell Street, I remember noise control turning up because the neighbours had complained about someone laughing too loudly. She always laughed so generously, and had the quickest wit of anyone I knew.

- Loren

We loved having fun at Don Wiles Chemist, we put unwrapped personal items under the shop Xmas Tree with cards on for each other. One time the boss Don was going on a trip with his wife ( we always thought of her as a bit straight laced).We wrapped a gift of very personal items they might need knowing he would laugh. Next minute the wife comes into the shop sees the gift and says OH Don how nice open the gift!! Of course we were terrified and he was too as he quickly ushered her out saying yes yes later.

We used to shout each other afternoon tea sometimes, one time Teresa served us all up a cold saveloy and a piece of cheese each. Later that afternoon a boy came to walk Teresa home after work and they decided to catch the bus. They boarded and while scratching in her handbag for her ticket she pulled out a saveloy with a condom on it. What a horrible embarrassment, Mr Wiles had decided it was his turn to pull a joke.

- Viv Hughes

One of the many things I will miss about Teresa is her hug. TP gave the best hugs - she managed to completely surround you in her arms and you could feel her warmth and the love that she had for you. 
So I'll always remember her hugs and " today I'll remember your smile"

- Julie

I loved Teresa she was so adventurous she took me on my first horse ride, hers was fast, mine was a plodder, as the horses turned for home hers took off and dumped her back at the gate, she laughed as I came slowly back. Next week she's around my house with a motorbike.

We had a 50 year friendship from girls to Nanas, although we didn't actually see each other in later years we kept in touch occasionally by phone and had a real bond of love and even though she has gone way too soon Teresa had a full life. When I think about all the things and places she went, she really was always doing something, my Action Girl. Heaps of love and I'm sure you will have a fun plan for us when we meet again.

Viv xxxx

 i remember being at grandmas house and her telling me about when mum was young and grandma got her to roll her a ciggy and mum put a tom thumb fire cracker in it and it exploded in it and it exploded in her face hahaha

- Phillip

I first met Teresa in 2012/13 and it was instant friendship. What an amazingly beautiful person Teresa was, who was a great fishing enthusiast, as was I. I organised a girls weekend away in the Coromandel (from Auckland) on the 5th November, 2016 - as Teresa and Tui lived there at the time. So a bunch of us took off for the weekend, to stay a few nights in a caravan park and go fishing with Teresa and Tui around the mussel farms. In all between the 13 fisher women amongst us, we caugh 68 keepers. Here is a lovely photo of Teresa and Tui in their happy place, which was also my happy place heading out to the fishing spot. Miss you T. Happy memories of hanging out with you in the early years of meeting you. So glad you found your forever person in Tui.

- Theresa Gonzalves

I didn't know Teresa very well but she made my friend Tui, shine.

- Stephanie Devcich

I remember meeting Teresa when I started at Rhino back in the 90s. She was such a warm, loving person and so full of life! Throughout our friendship she was always so generous with her time, her laughter and her love. I remember her love for her kids and meeting Loren when she was so young! She was so proud of all her kids🥰 words can’t really describe how much of a loss this is for so many people! Gone but never forgotten my friend♥️♥️ hope you are enjoying hanging out with Gill and Nyse♥️♥️

- Kim Hook

After begging to be able to join a gymnastics club despite not having a flexible bone in my body, Mum gave in and signed me up. 

Everything in gymnastics is hard when you can’t touch your toes but mum sat with me every morning and every evening at home practicing the splits and sure thing. She promised me the day I did the splits she would buy me something special. 

It took months and she never skipped once. She cheered me on, wiped the tears, held my hand and she stuck to her promise when I finally got there coming home with a beautiful signet ring I had loved for the longest time. 
She never gave up on anything, especially not her kids 🤍

- Kelly

Teresa was one of the most special people in our lives. She was the very best thing that happened to my Mum (Tui), and I’ll always be grateful for the love and happiness they shared together. Seeing Mum so genuinely happy again meant everything.

My husband Paul and 2 daughters loved coming to visit Nana and Teresa in NZ — whenever I mentioned Nana at home in the UK, they’d ask, “How’s Teresa?” She had the warmest heart, the most generous spirit, and the kind of laugh you could never forget !! These photos are from a trip to NZ during Covid, when I stayed with my girls, Mum and Teresa at a place near Taupō. Teresa’s cooking was incredible, but more than that, she made everything feel like home. Zoe always wanted to sit next to Teresa!

Teresa I am so grateful for you. xxxxxxx

- Katy Binney

Teresa was so proud of her kids and grandkids for everything they did. On Christmas Day Loren made a ‘Cauliflower Glory’ and Teresa lit up like someone had handed her the keys to the universe. I remember her at Loren’s film premiere, beaming with pride so bright it filled the entire room. She had a collage of a clown that Loren made when she was a kid and it hung pride of place on the wall - she adored it every single day. 

When you achieved something, big or small, Teresa made you feel like you’d done the most special thing in the world. She was the queen of celebrating others and I’m so lucky that this extended to me too. Teresa, thank you for being the proudest mum to so many. I miss you but I’ll do my best to keep making you proud. x

- Mel

 I’ll always remember as a child always being so excited for a trip to Aunty Teresa’s house. Not just to see my cuzzies but to see what fun she had set up for us. Some times it was a waterslide, some times an obstacle course or just a game to play on the trampoline. In the water at Whangamatā she was the fearless one in the waves who always came with me on our boogie boards. She taught me to fish at the wharf and was always up for an adventure. I loved going with her to the speedway and how fun she made with games we’d play choosing the race winners. Every time I drive past western springs I think of our times we spent there. You were special Aunty Teresa and you made my childhood so special too. Will miss you xxx

- Paul Barry

We worked with Tui at Colville School and Teresa was there with her smile and laughter. She was always ready to support the School, the Community, and the Colville Store...we had the best times ever, working, socializing and of course fishing with the finest couple you could ever meet. Teresa supported Tui and me through some tough times in those early years at Colville. Her little one liner gems of advice and encouragement kept us going and laughing! An incredible friendship grew and the four of us enjoyed meeting up whenever we could. "Ahakoa kua ngū tō reo, e kore tātou e wareware ki a koutou." 
"Even though your voice is silent, we will not forget you."

- Kerry & Gary Adams

I met TP when she hired me at Global Security in 2015. 

Gosh I'm so grateful for you T, with out you i wouldn't have my husband and I mean that because if you didnt hire me or Calvin we wouldnt be where we are today. Literally, gave Calvin an opportunity in the Waikato , we moved down , brought a house, got married and had a baby , that was all credit to you. Out of all the people at work she was the one that clicked on to the fact myself and Calvin were an item. You could call it mother's intuition.

The best moments were when you got to chat 1 on 1 with her, she would be outside having a smoke and you could chat about anything. Whanau, rugby league (Te Atatu Roosters or Glenora lol) or just life updates.

Here is a photo of me , calvin (in the back), you and Tui at our wedding. It wouldn't have been the same with out you there , we are thankful you were. 

- Arohanui KC and CC. (Kim and Calvin Colquhoun)

Mum would do anything for her children, and we really did ask for some outrageous things sometimes.

A few years ago as i was directing a film, i needed extras for a few strange scenes. Mum said yes straight away, having no idea what i’d be asking her to do. She turns up to the church, where i then get her to play the part of someone performing gay conversion practices on a young person. Of all the things i could ask her to act, it was probably up there with the worst, but she did it with a smile and having her there meant everything to me. It was so special to have her be a part of my film, which was fitting because she played a role in basically every achievement or success i have had in life.

No matter what any of us kids needed, even if she didn’t have all the resources in the world, mum would find a creative way to help us in any way she could.

- Loren

So many wonderful memories, but a couple of standouts. Mid 1990s, playing Petanque at Coromandel . then Teresa suggested I might like a gentle ride on a (donut) behind her motorised boat. Gentle..she took off like a bat out of hell, doing everything she could to unseat me...she didn't but my arse was sore for a day and it was such a laugh. Second great memory was when she introduced me to her beloved Tui in Raglan some years later. I was so pleased that my dear friend was so happy and so well loved..I don't have a photo, so wish I did . What a bold, beautiful, loving and funny woman, so lucky to have been her friend.

- Michele Casci

One of my most precious memories of Teresa is how she was such good fun and always up for a laugh.

I came across these pictures of New Years 'Teams'' Day at the lake. Seems Teresa ended up in the orange team, they did a fantastic fashion parade down the jetty, of course they all ended up in the water!

- Penny Laybourn

We love Teresa for her warmth, her ready laugh, her sense of adventure, her generosity and mostly for how happy she made our dear friend, Tui. 
We will miss you, Teresa ❤️

- Verity Davidson

I got to know Teresa as a work collegue at the Colville General Store. Teresa was an absolute gem, lots of fun, loyal who had a wicked sense of humour and a wonderful laugh which filled the store when she was in. Locals adored her, she was always up for a laugh. 

Teresa took on ordering and filling the fishing department from me, which I was very pleased about, because of her business knowledge, Teresa doubled sales for this section in a very short time. Teresa loved her fishing.

We had many long intense talks about our kids, they were of similar age. I never had the opportunity to know any of them, but I would like to say that Teresa adored her children and was a very very proud mum. 

RIP Teresa, you were a lovely friend and supportive work mate - love to her family.

- Lorraine Courtney

A few years ago, when I was being unreasonably grumpy at my youngest boy, he told me "You're not being Manaky Tanga". I googled it, and found Manaakitanga.

First I realised he was right, I was being a bit of a dick. About ten seconds after that, I thought of T.

She'd been my boss 8 years before that comment. Hundreds of people have been in my life before and since, but learning that word for the first time made me think of one person. T (or Mother Teresa as we called her behind her back) genuinely changed my life, by giving me opportunities, and helping me make the most of them.

A few feet away from me at the time, were KC & CC - See Kims lovely comments above. In that place, and in that brief period of time, T changed multiple peoples lives for the better. 

Much love to Tui, and T's family. What an incredible person to have spent your life with.

<3 Thanks T! x
- Adam Q

Teresa and I have known each other since we were twelve yrs old. We met at the local diary in grey Lynn and Teresa, friendly as she was got talking and we found that my grandparents home and her parents home were back to back with a hedge in between and there was a large hole in the hedge. So instead of walking round the block we would just jump through to see each other.

I owe Teresa so much she encouraged me to get my license to learn to drive and found me a job twice when my luck was running out. Teresa loved Indian food savoury or sweet, and to find out last year she was part Indian was no surprise!

we’ve had so many laughs. I remember one day her mum came home and caught us smoking in the lounge, I just freaked out and ran, dropping my ciggy behind the sofa! i’m sure I left a burnt mark on the carpet! Deep down I’m sure Teresa s mum had a good laugh. Teresa my dear dear friend I will miss u so much and I’m not going to say goodbye but see u later my little white butterfly

🥰 love Asha

I first met lovely Teresa in 1991: I’d just graduated from Auckland physio school and was working at Peter Larmer’s clinic in Avondale, Auckland.
Teresa’s then husband, Neil, was a good friend of Peter.
Teresa and I hit it off straight away: she came in because she’d injured her knee playing squash. In no time at all, Teresa was back on the court with me trying to keep up with her!

Our friendship grew over many games and after the games, many laughs.
Unfortunately and sadly, I had to leave NZ for Vancouver, Canada in 1994.
Teresa gave me a new and very special squash racquet to take with me.
Life happened and I came back to Auckland in 1997 in a heart broken state … and it was Teresa that stood there waiting for me at the airport arrivals: she took me back to my place … and she was like a rock for me. About a month later it was Teresa who took me back to the airport where I left to return to Vancouver.
I have never known a more authentic, genuine and generous person: she lived and breathed unconditional love … and if you were lucky enough to call her mum or grandma or know her as a friend, you knew she’d always be there for you, night and day.

Teresa, Tui and I were meant to meet on February 4th -7th next month when my travel plans are taking me to Auckland …
When I heard that Teresa was in the hospital I just prayed I’d get there in time to see her … at least we got to have a talk via phone before she passed: a conversation I’ll never forget.

Philip, Kelly and Loren: she absolutely ADORED you all and was so proud of you and happy for you. 
Her phenomenal love extended in equal measure to Parker and Bo: the sunshine of her life.
She will always be with each one of you: within your hearts.
And Tui: I think Teresa was at her most happy in her partnership with you: she shared with you her deepest self, her whole self … and she’ll remain tucked within your heart too.

Teresa’s energy and love touched and impacted SO MANY people.

I miss her so much and am deeply saddened that we won’t get to hang out with one another next month.

My heartfelt condolences to Tui, Teresa’s incredible family and so many friends♥️♥️♥️

Kate Thomson 
Bowen Island, BC, Canada

I have just learnt that Teresa has passed. So very sad to hear. I first knew Teresa from our squash days at Titirangi. We kept in touch for many years but not so much of recent times. Phillip used to stay with me occasionally and we would take him out in the boat where he would get sea sick. Oh dear I hope he has overcome the sea sickness. Teresa has a lovely family and my thoughts go out to them all in these sad times.Love to everyone. 

- Joyce from Algies Bay.