Val Drayton

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 278, 14 March 1989, Page 4

Val Drayton

Hundreds of people gathered at St John's Church in Ohakune on Thursday to support the Drayton Family and to say goodbye to a good friend, Val Drayton.

This obituary is in the main taken from the Reverend Bob Peck's eulogy for Val Drayton, read at her funeral last week.

Mrs Drayton died suddenly on Monday March 6 at her home in Mangateitei Road, Rangataua. She was 46 years old. Val was born in Christchurch and met her husband George in Tauranga and they were married in Morrinsville on October 14 1967. They moved to George's home town of Rangataua in April 1968 and took over the family farm in June of that year. Before coming to the Waimarino Val trained as a nurse at Tauranga and served as a staff sister at Tauranga Hospital. About nine years ago she became a staff nurse at the Waimarino Hospital and more recently took on additional duties as a relieving district nurse. Added to her involvement with the farm and the hospital Val spent many long hours helping numerous community organisations, such as Girl Guides, Turoa Tumblers, TASCI, the Rangataua School and the Anglican Church. In recent times Val

found time to learn to speak Japanese. Her interest in japanese grew through such activities as the Turoa Alpine Ski Club exchange with the Shiga Kogen ski area in Japan saw her planning a trip there in the future. Those who knew Val would well remember her Japanese tea house and g arden which she and her family established in the grounds of their home. Many messages as well as flowers were sent last week to the family from Val's friends in Japan. Music played frequently in Val's life - she was a pianist and this year began to play the harmonica and the banjo mandolin. She made time to teach others music also. Her artistic talent also showed through her painting, knitting and other avenues. She was a member of the Rangataua Pottery Group for many years.

Val is remembered for her boundless energy and vitality She| brought a loving professional attitude to her work as a nurse from which many Waimarino people have benefited. Also remembered is her openness, her easy nature in communicating and above tall, her tremendous sense of humour. Val Drayton is survived by her husband George, and her children Sheree, Tina, Dean and Jefferey. The Reverend Bob Peck performed the service at St John's with the help of the Reverend Tom Hawira and Mrs Pat Olds.