What’s On Invers Funeral Notices - Saturday 12th July

Funeral Notices are published daily at 6:40am Monday to Saturday, a free community service provided by whatsoninvers.nz
If you would like your loved one’s death/funeral notices, memoriam
or acknowledgement listed email it in word or PDF to [email protected]

CARRAN, Helen (Lal) nee Neilson:
Helen’s long & courageous journey with Alzheimer's ended peacefully on Thursday 10th of July, aged 82 years, surrounded by her loving family & the beautiful caring staff of Elliot Ward at Peacehaven. Dearly loved wife of Chris. Treasured Mum, Mother in law & best friend of Wendy & the late Terry, and Ross & Kerryn. Much loved Narnie of Kade & Kiahni and Nana of Charlie. Dearly loved sister, sister in law, aunty & cousin of the Neilson & Carran families A celebration of Helen’s life will be held at the Te Anau Club, Pop Andrew Drive, Te Anau on Wednesday 16th of July at 1pm. Followed by interment at the Lynwood Cemetery.
“Wherever a beautiful soul has been, there is a trail of beautiful memories….”
Messages to 561 Te Anau– Mossburn Highway, Te Anau 9672 or to Helens tribute page at frasersfunerals.co.nz/tributes

COWAN, Peter David:
Passed away peacefully at Southland Hospital, Invercargill, on Tuesday 8th July 2025. Aged 67 years. Dearly loved and respected husband of Karen. Much loved father and father in-law of Nick and Sarah (Invercargill), Scott and Casey (Australia), Paige and Brayden Hikawai (Otatara). Special Grandad to Nathan, Myles, Jorge, McKenna, and Henry. Beloved son of Henry* and Thelma* Cowan. Loved brother and brother-in-law of Leslie and Christine, Alister and Ann, Judy and Allan Stalker, and Mary Cowan, Jo and Bruce Dickens, Delwyn and Bill Carey, Jason and Jackie Gray.
“A great friend to many”
Peter will be resting at his home until his service. A service to celebrate Peter’s life will be held on Monday, July 14, at 1.30pm, in J Fraser & Sons Chapel, corner Esk and Doon Streets, Invercargill. A private cremation will follow. Messages to 232 Crow Road, Winton 9781 or to Peter’s tribute page at frasersfunerals.co.nz/tributes where Peter’s livestream link is available. (* denotes deceased)

DAVIES, Jock David Grant (Jocko):
Following a tragic accident on July 5, 2025. Loved son of Sarah and Peter, loved younger brother of George and Becky, Tom and Dotty. Beloved grandson of Ann and Brian, Ros and the late Butch Faulks. Touching many other lives as a nephew, cousin and mate to many. A service to celebrate Jock’s life will be held at the West Otago Community Centre, 1 Suffolk Street, Tapanui on Monday July 14, 2025, at 1.00pm, followed by a private family interment at the Tapanui cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations will be gratefully accepted at the service to Ronald McDonald House - The Christchurch House, and Otago Southland Helicopter Trust. To view on livestream https://vimeo.com/event/5245793 Messages to 2 Lincoln Street, Tapanui 9522

DONAGHY, Archibald John Philip (Archie):
Patricia, Sharon, Graeme, Judith and families would like to say many thanks to the people that phoned, visited, the beautiful flowers, baking, meals, love, support and words they shared on the passing of Archie. To the Access workers, Good Partners, Hospice, Dr More and staff, Sharyn Payne, and Deanne from Avenal Park for your care and guidance. To the people who called in to see Archie, it was very much appreciated. A big gap in our lives has gone. Please accept this as our personal thanks.

DRAIN, Valda Ellen:
Passed away peacefully on Tuesday 8th July 2025. Aged 86 years. Dearly loved wife of the late Jack. Much loved mother and mother-in-law of John and Kim, Vivian and Ian Murcott. Cherished Ga of Keith and Kimberley. As per Valda’s wishes a private service and cremation has been held. Messages may be left on Valda’s tribute page at frasersfunerals.co.nz/tributes

LEA, Doreen May (Pat):
Peacefully in the care of Clare House on Wednesday 9 July 2025; aged 91 years. Dearly loved wife of the late Robert, much loved mother of Janet, Mike, and Cathy. Dearly loved Grandmother and great Grandmother. In accordance with Pat’s wishes a private cremation has been held.

McDONALD, Margaret:
Passed away after a courageous battle at Christchurch Hospital, on July 6, 2025 with Rod by her side, aged 87 years. Margaret was a strong woman who is finally at peace after an arduous journey through illness. Special thanks to the dedicated staff at Christchurch Hospital. Loved wife of the late Colin McDonald, mother of Rod, Ken, Iain, Jane and John, grandmother of Matt, Jenna, Lara and Lila. A private cremation has taken place in keeping with Margaret's wishes. Margaret was a dedicated midwife in the Southland and Southern Lakes District region for many years. The family will be having a commemorative get together and refreshments at Margaret's home in Prebbleton, on Thursday, July 17 at 3.00pm for those who would like to join them to remember Margaret's life. The family also invites those who would like to join in remembering Margaret's life to meet at the Top Pub in Winton, Southland, on Saturday, July 19 at 3.30pm following a private ceremony for interment of her ashes at Colin's grave site. Messages of condolence may be sent to PO Box 20138, Christchurch 8543.

SMITH, Margaret:
16.08.1931 - 10.07.2025
Passed away peacefully at Ascot Care Home on Thursday, July 10, 2025, surrounded by love. Aged 93 years. Dearly loved husband and soulmate of Colin*. Dearly loved mother and mother-in-law to Brad and Kara (Australia), Jane and Rob Kent, and Glen and Anne (Australia). Dearly loved Nanny to Daniel and Tarryn, Aaron, and Jess and Sam (Australia). Loved Great-Grandma to Alex Kent.
A special thank you to all the staff at Ascot Care Home, especially the dementia ward, for all the kindness and care over the many years. In accordance with Margaret's wishes, a private cremation has taken place. Messages to 322 Racecourse Rd, Invercargill, or can be left on Margaret's tribute page at distinctfunerals.co.nz. (*denotes deceased).

STEVENSON, Fairley Margaret (nee Tait):
26.01.1936 – 09.07.2025. It is with deep sadness, we wish to advise that our dear mum has passed away, and gone to be with our dad, her beloved husband and soulmate Bruce. Cherished and loved mother and mother-in-law of Jenny and Colin Barnfield, David and Sandy, Peter and Kerry, Maree and Stephen Black, Michael and Louise, and a much loved and treasured Gran of her 13 Grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. A dearly loved sister and sister-in-law, much loved aunty to all of her nieces and nephews. Thank-you to the staff at Windsor Park Gore for their care of mum over the last four years. A service to celebrate Fairley's life will be held on Tuesday 15th July at 1:30pm at the Riversdale Presbyterian Church, Chester Street, Riversdale. Followed by interment at the Riversdale Cemetery. Donations for the Riversdale St John can be made at the service. Messages to 12 Brown Street, Gore or to Fairley's tribute page at frasersfuneral.co.nz/tributes

STIRLING, Ronald Neil:
10 July 1945 – 6 July 2025
Neil passed away peacefully at Southland Hospital, aged 79. Loved husband of Elaine, adored father and father-in-law of Angela & Murray, Michael & Jenny, Craig & Jan, and Glenn & Barbra. Cherished Grandad and Great Grandad of all his gorgeous grandchildren and great grandchildren. Neil was privately laid to rest at a family graveside service held at East Winton Cemetery, on Friday, 11 July. Special thanks to the incredible staff at Albany Rest Home, Gore, you were amazing in caring and supporting Neil through his final journey. A real battler, who fought tooth and nail to the end. “Keep growing those new spuds up in heaven, Christmas simply won’t be the same.” Messages to Angela Smith, 9 Bell Ave, Cromwell 9310 or to Neil's tribute page at fraserfunerals.co.nz

WESTBURY, Tony Stephen:
At Southland Hospital on Thursday, 10 July 2025, aged 65 years. Loved father of Hayden, Monique, and Tyler. An adored grandad of Sophie, Korbyn, Madeline, Caleb, and Dean. Loved son of Judith* and Desmond*. Beloved brother of Kaylene, Michael, and Joanne and brother-in-law of Elaine. A loved uncle of his nieces and nephews and friend to many. A service to celebrate Tony’s life will be held in the Southland Crematorium Chapel, Rockdale Road, Invercargill on Tuesday 15 July at 1.30pm. Messages to “The Westbury Family”, PO Box 1345, Invercargill 9840.

WHITSON, Thomas Keith (Keith):
With heavy hearts, Wendy, Jodie and Hayley are sad to advise that on Thursday July 10, 2025, Keith passed away at Hospice Southland surrounded by his loving family. He passed peacefully after a short illness, aged 68 years, Best mate and loving husband of Wendy, a much- loved father and father-in-law to Jodie and Justin and Hayley and Andrew, best Grandad ever to Corbin, and Harper; Austin, and Evie. Loved son of Irene* and Thorby* Whitson, loved son-in-law of Max and Lyn Connell, brother and brother-in-law of Gaynor and Greg, Craig and Liza, Rob and Cath, Tiri and Brian. Much loved uncle to his nieces and nephews. (*denoted deceased) A service to celebrate Keith’s life will be held on Tuesday July 15, at 1.00 pm, in the Christian Actives Centre, 10 George Street, Edendale, followed by a private cremation. The family would like to thank Hospice Southland for their care, love and support of Keith and his family. To view on livestream address -https://vimeo.com/event/5249581 In lieu of flowers, donations to Hospice Southland would be greatly received and may be left at the service. Messages to 5 Tudor Lane Brydon, Gore 9774

Acknowledgements and Memoriam's: If you would like your loved one’s death/funeral notices, memoriam, or acknowledgement listed, email it in word or PDF to [email protected]