🕊️ Today’s Remembrances: Notices & Tributes 🕊️
View the latest Death Notices, In Memoriams, and Acknowledgements for the Southland region. Updated daily, Monday through Saturday.
🤝 A Free Service for Families We invite you to share your memories and thanks. Send your notices or acknowledgements to: 📧 [email protected]
BATES, James David “Jim”:
After a courageous battle due to a medical event, Jim passed away surrounded by his loving family, at Dunedin Hospital on Thursday 18th December 2025. Aged 74 years. Dearly loved husband of Sandra. Cherished Dad and Grandad of Tony and Hinemaia; Nathan, Korina, Daryl and Carlos; Greg, Kylie, Liam and Adam. Much respected brother, brother-in-law, uncle, cousin, and a great friend to many.
“Always up for a yarn”
A service to celebrate Jim’s life will be held at the Ascot Park Hotel, on Tuesday 23rd December, at 1.30pm. Messages to 30 Waihopai Street, Rosedale, Invercargill 9810, or to Jim’s tribute page at frasersfunerals.co.nz/tributes where livestream details are available.
BELL, Catherine Flett:
1937 - 2025
Dawn & David, Ken & Paula, Ross & Robyna & their families, wish to express their heartfelt thanks following Catherine’s passing. Thanks to those who have sent cards, food, flowers, popped in for a visit, all of which have been deeply appreciated. Your kindness, love and support during this time have been great comfort to our family. Our sincere thanks to all who attended Catherine’s funeral service, your presence truly reflected the respect in which she was held. A special thank you to the Southland Hospital Emergency Department and Medical Ward for their care of Catherine. Also thank you to the team at Avenal Park Funeral Home and Lynley McKerrow for her caring guidance and support, which was greatly appreciated. Please accept this as a personal acknowledgment.
DUNLOP, Alan Douglas:
Peacefully at home with his family on Thursday 18th December 2025 in his 69th year. Loved husband of Sally. Amazing father of Melanie, Natasha and Duane, Rachel and Chey. Coolest Grandad to Joshua, Hayden, Zac, Jade, Micky, Deklan, and Sam. Loved Great Grandad to Jude, August, Zaliah-Jane, Sierra, Reid, Jahseh. Loved brother, brother-in-law and uncle. A service to celebrate Alan’s life will be held in the Southland Crematorium on Monday 22nd December 2025 at 12.30pm. Messages can be sent to the Dunlop Family, PO Box 632, Invercargill 9840, or on Alan’s tribute page at mwfunerals.co.nz/s/alan
GRIFFIN, Michael (Spike) Gerard:
Passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday 16 December 2025, in Invercargill, aged 69. Much loved son of the late Vesper and Patrick Griffin, and brother of the late Wayne, and Chris (Grocer) Griffin. Loved brother of Barb and Ross (Smilie) Millard. Beloved dad of Amy, Lilly, Ella, and Meg, and cherished father-in-law of Andrew, Tom, and Olly. A very proud and loving Poppa to Beau- Harper, Ardie, Marlow, Maverick, and Claude. Cherished Uncle Spike to Ashley, Ricky, and the girls and Jervase, Shaun and the girls. “Mickey/Spike” to his many special friends. A service to celebrate Michael’s life will be held in the St Thérèse of Lisieux Catholic Church, 40 Perth Street, Invercargill on Monday 22 December at 1.00pm. This will be followed by a private cremation. Messages to 28 Perth Street, Invercargill 9810.
“Long or short, Spike?”
HAUGH, Joan Annie (née Pope):
Late of Lumsden
With aching hearts, Joan’s family advise that she has hung up her apron and gone to be with her husband, Peter. Much cherished mother and mother-in-law of Sharron (Shaza) Ingill, Mary and Bryan Elliott, and Raymond and Valerie (Perth). Also a wonderful Mum to Barry and Mary (Gore), and Wendy and Joseph McMillan (Perth). Beautiful Nana to Melanie Manahi, Tania Todd, Milner Aupouri, and Peter Rutland-Haugh; and a proud Grandma to her many great and great-great grandchildren. Heartfelt thanks to the staff in Elliot Wing, Peacehaven for their care for Joan. A service to celebrate Joan’s life will be held at The Southland Crematorium on Saturday 27th December commencing at 10:30 am. Donations to Hospice may be left at the service. Messages to 24 Shannon Street, Clifton, Invercargill 9812, or may be left on Joan’s tribute page at distinctfunerals.co.nz, where a link to the livestream can be found.
HAUGH, Joan Annie:
Beloved daughter of the late John and Mary Pope, late of Gore. Loved sister of Florence Wallace (Gore), Margaret Black*, Helen Cleary*, and Iris Braxton*. A sister is a unique blessing that will last forever. Loved daughter-in-law of Lionel* and May* Haugh, and an adored sister-in-law of all Peter’s siblings. Very good friend of John McRandle and Liz Curry*. Let the Wind Blow Free.
(*denotes deceased)
KIDD, Kolin Wayne (Watson):
Passed away unexpectedly but peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, in Christchurch Intensive Care. Aged 65 years. Dearly loved husband and best friend of Catherine Watson-Kidd. Much-loved and special dad of Matt and Annie, Shelly and Jamie. Cherished Poppa of Mia, Zakkiah, Willow, Vannah and Xannthee. Loved father-in-law of Suz and Michelle. Loved son of Judy* and Lindsay*, and brother of Bill* and Trevor*. Dear brother-in-law of Wayne and Eileen* Finnerty, Margaret Watson (Christchurch), Donna and Colin Cherry (Perth), Ann and Vince Wyatt (Queenstown), Mary and Dennis Kelly, Barbara and Darryl Watson-Palmer (Queenstown). A much-loved uncle and friend to many. A service to remember Kol’s life will be held at St Theresa’s Church, Windsor, Invercargill, on Tuesday 23 December at 2.00pm. Messages to the Watson-Kidd family C/- PO Box 1345, Invercargill 9840.
“An angel lived among us,
A gift from God above,
He showered us with kindness
And shared with us his love.”
MAXWELL, Christine Ann (nee Templeton):
On Friday, 19 December 2025, Christine passed away peacefully at Bupa Ascot Care Home, surrounded by her beloved daughter and son-in-law. Dearly loved wife of the late Gavin Maxwell. Treasured mother of Nicole White (née Maxwell) and loving mother-in-law to Lee White, adored nanny of Khalia, Roxton, and Leila. Beloved daughter of the late Jill and Tom Templeton, and a much-loved sister, sister-in-law, aunty and niece to her whānau. A special foster mum to Jerry, Timmy, Billy, Charlotte, and many others.
A service to celebrate Christine’s life will be held in the Avenal Park Chapel on Tuesday, 23 December, at 2.00pm, interment to follow at Eastern Cemetery. You are invited to join the service via livestream by going to the Avenal Park obituaries page and clicking on the link on Chrissy’s profile page. All messages to 5 Majestic Chance, Invercargill 9812.
O’DONNELL, Mary Elizabeth (Betty) (née Busby):
Peacefully in Christchurch on Tuesday 16 December 2025, aged 89 years. Loved and adored wife of the late Ormond O’Donnell. Loved daughter of the late George and Mamine Busby. Sister and sister-in-law of Eric* (Jack), Cecil* and Ngaire *, Robert* and Thelma. Dearly loved mother and mother-in-law of Graeme and Tracey, and Wayne. Best grandma of Leighton, Kaeden, Khobi, Gabriella, Juan, and Leon. Great grandma of Elsie, Harley, Billie, and the late Isla. A much-loved aunty of her nieces and nephews. A service to celebrate Betty’s life will be held in the Avenal Park Chapel, 75 Fox Street, Invercargill on Monday 22 December at 10:00am. Messages to The O’Donnell Family, C/- PO Box 1345, Invercargill 9840.
PAULIN, Sharon Mary:
Peacefully on Monday 15th December 2025, in the loving care of Rowena Jackson Rest Home. Loved wife of Alan. Loved mother and mother-in-law of Craig and Aimie, Grant and Lisa, Jody and Joanne, Angela and Matt. A loved nana to all her grand and great grandchildren. A dearly loved sister, sister-in-law and aunty. As per Sharon’s wishes a private service will be held. Messages to the Paulin Family can be sent to P.O.Box 632, Invercargill 9840 or leave a message on Sharon’s tribute page mwfunerals.co.nz/s/sharon.
Acknowledgements and Memoriam's:
BOOTH, Isabel Rona:
Karen, David, Graham & their families would like to thank everyone who showed kindness and support by way of flowers, cards, food and attending Mum’s funeral, it meant a great deal to us. A special thanks to Donna White and to Carmen Stewart for helping us celebrate Mum’s life in such a special way. Please accept this as a personal acknowledgement.
J, Wilson:
A year has gone since you left us but you will never be forgtten, Foeever in our hearts. Your loving wife Joan and family.