🕊️ 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]
COX, Desmond:
At Gore Hospital on Saturday, December 13, 2025. Devoted husband of the late Valerie (Flo). Loved uncle and friend to many. A celebration of Salty and Flo's life will be held on Saturday, January 10, 2026 at 2.00pm at their home 83 Hazeldine Road, Freshford, then to Waikaia Rugby Rooms for a brew. You are welcome to wear your cowboy hats and boots.
FERGUSON, Vera:
(formerly of Kauana) On December 23, 2025, peacefully at Ashburton Hospital, aged 82 years. Much loved wife of the late Alex. Loved mother and mother-in-law of Hamish and Vicki. Adored Granny of Angus and Macray. Verna's family would like to thank the staff at Ashburton Hospital for their care and consideration in her last few days. Messages to the Ferguson family, PO Box 472, Ashburton, 7740. According to Verna's wishes a private family service has been held.
GALLOWAY, Barney:
Late of Wanaka, Riversdale and Gore. Passed at home with family on 27 December 2025. Dearly loved husband of Joan, father and father-in-law of Carol & Peter Riddle (Edendale), Mick & Debbie (Perth), Paul & Faye (Alexandra) and Colleen (Palmerston North). Special Grandad and Great Grandad Barney to Dale and Simon, Helen, Mackenzie and Franklin, Jenna, Reuben and Eva, Rachel, Kaine, Ada and Beau, James, Jess and James and Tom. A private cremation has been held at Barney's request. Messages to 3 Jacob Street, Gore 9710.
HOUGHTON, Elizabeth:
Peacefully at Dunstan Hospital, Clyde, on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, aged 61 years. Loved partner of Stephen Lawrie and loved wife of the late David, much loved and cherished mother and mother-in-law of Jen and Wayne Adamson. A service to celebrate Liz's life will be held in the Alexandra District Club, Centennial Avenue, on Wednesday, January 7 at 1.30pm, followed by private cremation. Donations kindly accepted for Dunstan Hospital Whanau Unit. The service can be viewed via live stream at centralotagofunerals.co.nz Messages to 55 Killarney Street, Alexandra 9320.
McFADZIEN, James:
(formerly of Glenham) Peacefully in Bupa Windsor Park Rest Home, on Monday, December 22, 2025, in his 90th year. Treasured husband of the late Dorothy for 64 years. Much loved Dad and father-in-law of the late Paul, Grace and Callum, Anne, Ian and Lynley; much loved Grandad of his 10 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Gone to be with Dorothy.
A memorial service to celebrate Jim's life will be held on Tuesday, January 6, at St Andrews Church, 2 Devon Street, Gore, at 2.30pm. Livestream available at southernfuneralhome.co.nz. Messages to 29B Ardwick Street, Gore 9710.
O'LEARY, Maxwell:
On December 27, 2025, at Pleasant Point, surrounded by his family; aged 92 years. Dearly loved husband of Shirley, for 68 years, loved father and father-in-law of Karen* and Lynn Stuart, Deborah Budden, Michael and Miranda; loving Grandad of Ryan*, and Emma*; Brittany; Charlotte, Victoria, and Carlin, and his seven great-grandchildren.
"We love and will miss you always"
A Memorial Service for Max will be held at the Lake Dunstan Boat Club, Partridge Road, McNulty Inlet, Cromwell at 1.00pm on Friday, January 9, 2026. Messages can be left on Max's page at hopeandsons.co.nz (* denotes deceased).
SQUIRES, Ronald Herbert:
It’s with sadness that we announce that Ronald Herbert Squires aged 96 yrs old, passed away peacefully on 31/12/25. Loved Dad of Garry & Paula, Susy & Raymond, Sally & Don, and Jenny. Also loved Grandad, great-Grandad, and great-great-Grandad. A life well lived with many memories and stories A private family gathering will be held in the new year. Much appreciation to Ronette and her team at Peacehaven for their loving care and support they have given Dad, also to Longwood Rest Home while Dad lived in Riverton. Messages to Squires Family 1 Chelmsford St, Windsor, Invercargill 9810, or can be left on Ronald's tribute page at distinctfunerals.co.nz
THWAITES, Audrey Lorraine: “Lorraine”
21 September 1937 - 25 December 2025
Peacefully at Hawthorndale Care Village, Invercargill. Dearly loved wife of Russell* loved and respected mother and mother-in-law of Kerry*, Trevor, Murray and Liz, Robin and Gail and Lyn *. Loving precious grandmother and great grandmother to all her grandchildren and great grandees. Special thanks to the staff at Hawthorndale for their wonderful care of Mum. A memorial service to celebrate Lorraine's life will be held at the Northend Bowling Club, 112 Gala Street, Queens Park, Invercargill on Monday 5 January 2026 at 1pm. Messages to 108 Tramway Road, Strathern, Invercargill 9812 or to Lorraine’s tribute page at frasersfunerals.co.nz/tributes (*denotes deceased).
TOWN, Elaine:
On Sunday, December 21, 2025, in her sleep, aged 87 years. Loved wife of the late Walter, loved Mum and mother-in-law Peter and the late Deborah, and Raewyn, loved Grandma of Daniel, and Michael. Messages may be addressed to: The family of the late Elaine Town, c/- PO Box 39001, Christchurch 8545. In lieu of flowers, donations to Cancer Society New Zealand would be appreciated, and may be made online at cancer.org.nz. The celebration of Elaine's life will be held at Westpark, 467 Wairakei Road, Burnside, Christchurch, on Friday, January 9, at 10.00am.
VARCOE, Murray:
Passed peacefully on December 31, 2025, at home, after a hard fought battle with cancer aged 78, in the loving arms of his wife of 56 years, Sue. Loving father and father-in-law of Brennan and Bonita; and Lana. Beloved Grandad of Chantelle, Shannon and Brodie; Jazz and Piper; and 5 great-grandchildren. Loved brother and brother-in-law to Gordy (D) and Maureen; Yvonne (D) and Tony; David and Karen, and Russell and Alison. Work mate and friend to Chris. A special heartfelt thank you to the friends from church and the District Nurses who supported Sue through Murray's illness. A service to celebrate Murray's life will be held at 2.00pm, on Monday, January 12, at the Life Church, Timaru. Messages c/- Mainland Funeral Services, PO Box 4041, Highfield, Timaru, 7942.
Returned to be with the Lord, and in his words:
"Preparing their room with a view",
and patiently awaits his true love, Sue.
WATSON, Phyllis Kate (nee Cameron):
Aged 76 years, passed away peacefully at Peacehaven Rest Home, on Christmas Day, with her loving daughters by her side, loved wife of Donald and loved mother of Rachelle, and Trudy and Brendan. A special Nana of Amber, Hayley, Zac, Samantha, and Liam. Loved eldest daughter of Allan* and Alice* Cameron, loved sister and sister in-law to Lyndsey* Cameron, Maureen Varcoe (Brian* Phillips, Gordon* Varcoe), Lynette and Brian Proctor. Loved Aunty to all her nieces and nephews. Loved by extended family and friends. Phyllis's service will be held on Tuesday the 6th of January at 10am at the Avenal Park Chapel, 75 Fox St, Invercargill. Messages to 426 Tiwai Road Invercargill 9877. Special thanks to the care givers at Walmsley House and Peacehaven Rest Home.
Acknowledgements and Memoriam's:
DUNCAN, Christine:
03.01.22
Forever Missed
Forever Loved and Forever In Our Hearts
Lots Of Love
Bruce.
PALMER, Ruth Isabella:
5/12/40-3/1/23
Loved sister of the late Joan Thomas, and Anne Whippy -Thomas. Dearly loved mother of Caroline Dawson. You were my friend and I miss you everyday.
PEOPLES, Ruth:
20 years ago in Christchurch. We remember today Ruth, and her son Kole (2019), both unnecessarily taken. We miss you both every day.
Mother Anne, and brothers Richard and Kevin.