Youngsters provide spirit for great-grandmother

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 322, 6 February 1990, Page 16

Youngsters provide spirit for great-grandmother

BY

DONNA

MCGRATH

At a young 77 years of age Helen Wiggins (nee McNie) of Raetihi believes that her youthfulness comes from the wonderful relationship she feels she has with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

It is the youth,, she says, "that keeps me young and keeps me going," Born on 10 March 1913 in her parents home at Orautoha, He-

len is the daughter of Fred and Lil McNie. She lived the life of a farmer's daughter along with her two brothers, attending the Orautoha School three miles

profile away on horseback. On Saturdays Helen attended piano lessons at Nelly Price's whose home now belongs to the Fahey family. Helen looks back with a chuckle and recalls the day her father purchased the first motor vehicle in Raetihi - "A dodge with curtains," she recalls. Helen adds that the trips into town up Shorts hill were just as quick

by horse and gig as by car. In 1933 during the depression and a rainstorm Helen married Wanganui man Maurice Wiggins, known as Morrie. Together they lived in a small homely cottage on the Parapara's on their own farm. Morrie and Helen had five children - one daughter Myrtle and

four sons, Fredrick, Ken, Raymond and Neil". Morrie spent much of their newly married life droving to earn money to bring up the family. Helen can remember quite clearly how popular the stock saies in the area were. Most of the stock sold out of the area was transported by rail. Morrie and Helen lost their son Ken in 1978 after months of hospitalisation in Palmerston North. His illness was never in-pointed, even after several brain scans and Ken died after

pneumonia set in at 42 years old. Morrie and Helen lived a contented, close 50 years on their farm on the Paraparas. In February 1983 Morrie and Helen celebrated their 50th wedding armiversary. Three months later Morrie died after a long struggle through ill health. Helen nursed him for five years. Today Helen has a small house in the Raetihi township where she puts to use her great love of gardening and knitting. Her gar-

den, she says, is grown for colour, not uniqueness. Helen makes the most of her days by keeping busy. She is a member of the Country Women's Institute, and Senior Citizens. She lives her life for her family - 14 grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. Her sense of humour shines from her smiles as she says, "I've probably got some more grandchildren on the way I don't know about yet, but the young ones are my spirit and I am their mate."