🕊️ 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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BARBER, John:
On December 7, 2025, passed away peacefully at home with family, aged 88 years. Dearly loved partner of Diane, much
loved father and father-in-law of Dori and Woolly, Tony and Michelle, Brent and Anna, Gina and Simon, and Gina's late husband Robert Barnett, loved Pa John to Georgie, Madison, Jakson, and Neeve; Maurita; Jordan, the late Harrison, and Max; Cameron, Ilaria, Bradyn, and Ryan, loved great-Pa John to Beni, and Nellie; Harley, Arlo, and Bodhi.
May the wind always be in your face, and the sun on your back and the
grass beneath your feet
Messages may be addressed to: The Family of the late John Barber, c/- PO Box 39001, Christchurch 8545. In accordance with John's wishes, a private cremation will take place. A memorial service to celebrate John's life will be held at the Rangiora RSA, 82 Victoria Street, Rangiora, on January 17, 2026, at 2.00pm.
KERR, Sheila:
Formerly of Alexandra. On Wednesday, December 10, 2025, peacefully at Yvette Williams Retirement Village; aged 96 years. Dearly loved wife of the late Murray, dearly loved Mum of Mike and Jan (Invercargill), Sherry and the late Brian Lilley (Dunedin), Geoff and Jenni (Timaru), loved Grandma of Kate and Tony, Glenn and Ange; Brianne, Gemma and Leon, and Renée; Gemma and Ethan, Jono and Bonny, and their families. A service for Sheila will be held in Hope and Sons Chapel, 523 Andersons Bay Road, Dunedin, at 2.00pm on Friday, December 19, followed by private cremation. Messages to 4 Glendermid Close, Sawyers Bay, Dunedin 9023, or on Sheila's page at hopeandsons.co.nz where a livestream of the service may be viewed.
MARSH, Everlyn:
7.8.1928 – 7.12.2025
The family of Nellie wish to advise that, after 97 years of determined, spirited living, Nellie blew her final whistle on Sunday evening, with family nearby, and peacefully ran out of puff, off into the unknown "for her to know and us to find out". Ever-faithful wife of Don Marsh* (d. 1979), loved mother and mother-in-law of Norman and Leeann; Lendon Marsh and Debra Thompson; and Trevor Marsh*, special grandmother of Michelle and Paul Lyon (UK); Nathan, Brodie, and Keiran Marsh; Kahn and Courtney Thompson (Australia); and Brooke Thompson (Australia), doting great-grandmother (known as GG) to Owen and Thea Lyon (UK), and Hunter and Emelia Thompson (Australia), and friend of Barbara Marsh. The family extends heartfelt thanks to the wonderful team at Ranui, led by their very own Florence Nightingale, Pip Wilson, and all her amazing angels for their compassion, dedication, and patience in caring for Nellie over the past two months. Grateful thanks also to the team at the Roxburgh Medical Centre for keeping her patched up and mobile over the years, allowing her to remain at home for as long as possible, and to the staff at Dunstan Hospital for their care and support during the last twelve months. Fondly remembered by all her nieces and nephews, especially Barbara Walker, Leone Beatson, and cousins Keith and Kay Michie, Barbara Muir, and Ivan Geeves. Special friend to Judith Omond, Alison Joyce, and Pat Holmes; and friend to Cliff* and Lyn Parker. A private cremation has taken place. A gathering of family and friends for the interment of her ashes at Ettrick will be held at a later date. Messages to Norman Marsh, 3497 Fruitlands–Roxburgh Road, RD1 Roxburgh. 9571 (*denotes deceased).
McKENZIE, Shirley:
26.5.1932 - 29.11.2025
On Saturday, November 29, 2025, passed away peacefully in Christchurch, aged 93, surrounded by family. Dearly loved wife of the late Alexander. Much loved mother and mother-in-law of David and Brad, John and Kathleen, and Paul and Hillary. Treasured grandmother of Erin, Andrew, Jordan, Harry, Beth, Julie and Jeremy, and great-grandmother of Mila, Blair and Reign. Loved sister of Marie Chilton, the late Betty Dunlop and the late Ron Pilcher. Many thanks to the staff of Lady Wigram Retirement Village for their compassionate care of Shirley. The funeral service for Shirley was held at Westpark, Burnside, Christchurch, on Thursday, December 4, followed by private cremation. Messages may be addressed to: The family of the late Shirley McKenzie, c/- PO Box 39001, Christchurch 8545. In lieu of flowers, the family asked for donations to the National Heart Foundation which may be made online at heartfoundation.org.nz.
PRIEST, Warren David:
22/01/1965 – 04/12/2025
Passed unexpectedly as the result of an accident. Dearly loved and treasured husband of Lorraine. Beloved father of Anthony, Kadin, and Daniel. Loved brother of Carla, Brent, Mark, and Cheryl. Beloved uncle to his nieces and nephews. A respected friend to so many, and a respected foe of many trout. You are loved beyond words and missed beyond measure. A service to celebrate Warren’s life will be held at the Athol Community Hall on Monday, 15 December 2025, at 11.00 am. Messages to PO Box 1440, Invercargill, or may be left on Warren’s tribute page at distinctfunerals.co.nz, where a link to the livestream may be found.
TEMPLETON, John:
Born March 6, 1961
Passed away suddenly on December 10, 2025. Dearly loved husband of Avril. Cherished father and father-in-law of Lisa, Sarah and Josh, Matt and Renee, adored Granddad of Meeka, Te Koha John, Tamati, Pita, Adelynn and Briggs. Much loved brother of Andrew, Susan and Jane. A Service to celebrate John's life will be held in the Tarras Community Hall, 2958 Lindis Pass-Tarras Road, Tarras, at 1.00pm, on Tuesday, December 16. In lieu of flowers donations to Tarras Golf Club would be appreciated and may be left at the service. Messages to PO Box 36 Tarras 9347: Email [email protected]
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