🕊️ Today’s Remembrances: Notices & Tributes 🕊️
View the latest Death Notices, In Memoriams, and Acknowledgements for the Southland region. Updated daily, Monday through Saturday.
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COWAN, Bruce:
4.1.1963 – 24.12.2025
It is with broken hearts, children Pagan, Rachael and Wyatt announce the passing of their father, Bruce Cowan, on Wednesday December 24, 2025. He will be with his late wife Brenda after only a few months being apart. Along with his children, he leaves behind their partners Tony, Robert and Alex , his stepchildren Liam and Emma, Amy and Cameron, his grandchildren Jono, Georgia, Katie, Henry, Albie, baby bump Keenan and his sisters Gaylene and Diane. It is a huge loss to us all. We would like to express our gratitude to his mates and their partners for all their support and looking out for him, and a special thanks to the team at Golden View care. A service will be held at a later date - details to be advised. In lieu of flowers, we ask that you please plant a native tree or donate at treesthatcount.co.nz Messages can be sent to 189 Boxall Street, Tisbury, Invercargill 9877.
GERKEN, Glamis:
On December 23, 2025 peacefully at Oamaru Hospital; in her 96th year. Beloved wife of the late Allan William Gerken. Dearly loved and respected mother and mother-in-law of Sharon and Lee (Weston), Barbara and Howard (Blenheim), Allan and Sandra (Otautau), Gary and Sally (Hakataramea), Vickie (Australia), and loving precious grandmother, great-grandmother and super-gran to all her grandchildren. Loved auntie of her nieces and nephews and best mate of "Penny".
"A courageous show of strength to the end. Now at peace."
A private family service is to be held.
HERRON, Ronald:
(Of Tapanui) at Southland Hospital on Friday, December 26, 2025, in his 73rd year. Loved husband of Winsome, loved Dad and father-in-law of Colin and Emeldah, Joy and Jason Cleland, Dianne and Georgie; treasured Grandad of his 9 grandchildren; and loved uncle of all his nieces and nephews. A service to celebrate Ron's life will be held, following a private family interment, in Southern Funeral Home Chapel, 106 Hokonui Drive, Gore, on Saturday, January 3, at 2.00pm. Livestream available at www.southernfuneralhome.co.nz. Donations may be left at service for West Otago Health. Messages to: 93 Kennedy Road, Wendon Valley, RD 3, Gore 9773.
HUTCHINGS, Jacquelyn:
On December 22, 2025, beloved wife of Wayne, loving mother of Tamsyn, and partner Kieran, and of Luke, and Matthew. Much loved daughter of Mollie and the late George Thomson, loved sister and sister-in-law of John and Lizzy, and loved aunt of Sarah, and her husband Josh. Special thanks to HealthCare NZ, and Nurse Maude Palliative teams for their care and support of Jackie. Messages may be addressed to: The family of the late Jackie Hutchings, c/- PO Box 39001, Christchurch 8545. At Jackie's request, a private family
service has been held.
McAULEY, Lawrence:
Peacefully at his home, surrounded by his family, on December 25, 2025, aged 89 years. Cherished husband of Anne, loving father to daughters, Kirsten and Morven, and their late son, Alistair, son-in-law to Peter Stevenson, beloved Granddad to Rose and Louis McAuley Stevenson. A Memorial Service for Laurie will be held in the Lowburn Hall, 58 Lowburn Valley Road, Lowburn at 12 noon, on Tuesday, December 30. Livestreaming at affinityfunerals.co.nz Messages to 204 Heaney Road, Cromwell 9384.
LEONARD, Robyn Kay:
Peacefully in the care of Southland Hospital on Saturday, 27th December 2025. Dearly loved wife of the late Ray. Cherished Mother to her devoted son Josh. Loved and loving sister, sister-in-law and aunt to the Leonard and Patterson families. Messages to the Leonard Family, C/- PO Box 1345, Invercargill 9840.
TOD, Lois:
Of Waikouaiti. It is with much sadness that we announce the unexpected passing of Lois Tod, on Wednesday, December 24, 2025. Lois was a loving wife to John*, Cyril* and Peter*. She was a much loved mother and mother-in-law to Paul and Wendy Cobby and family, Helen* and Nigel Watts, Trevor and Gillian Cobby and family and Natalie Joy and Grant Godby and family. Lois was an adored grandmother and great grandmother. Lois lived a full life and was an inspiration to all those who knew her. She selflessly gave her time and skills to help all those around her, and was admired by all. She will be sorely missed especially by the Saint John's church and Waikouaiti RSA. A service to celebrate Lois's life will be held at Gillion's Funeral Services, 407 Hillside Road, Dunedin at 2.00pm on Tuesday, December 30. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Waikouaiti RSA would be appreciated and may be left at the service. Lois service livestreamed at www.gillions.co.nz/kiwi-channel. Messages to 6 Raleigh Street, Pine Hill, Dunedin 9010. (*denotes deceased).
Acknowledgements and Memoriam's: