Maureen Reid: a reminder of our blessings
Evidence of Air Force history litters Hobsonville Point. Recently a group of residents acknowledged ‘new’ history, at the first anniversary, of the all-too-early passing of an active Hobby Pointer.
Maureen Reid, a single educational administrator, moved into Buckley A in December 2014. A few weeks later she gingerly accepted an invitation to a street party welcoming ‘her’ side of the street. Immediately she made connections with a bunch of neighbours and established lasting friendships.
With great care and attention she transformed her house and garden from its initial ‘shell-like feeling’, to a home with everything in its right place. Maureen worked at the Information Centre and her garden featured in the Hobsonville Point Garden Ramble. When H.L.C. decided to recognize the original site of the St Marks Airforce Chapel (in front of Mill House on Buckley Ave, now the Bear Park childcare centre), by installing a memorial garden Maureen was a member of a small volunteer team ‘making that happen’, from design to delivery. She patiently attended the council meetings and dealt with the paperwork and during her daily walks chose the style of park bench that would be installed.
Sadly, through much of this activity, cancer was slowly robbing her of her senior years. After her death in August 2019, idea was mooted to recognise some ‘new’, albeit token, HP history and after consultation (and more council paperwork!) a small plaque was installed on the memorial garden park bench, acknowledging Maureen’s efforts to embrace our neighbourhood’s past and beautify the suburb. Journeying with Maureen made her HP friends realize the richness of life our neighbourhood has bestowed upon us and that it all began with the hesitant attendance of a neighbourhood sausage sizzle, a glass or two of Sauvignon Blanc and some shared plates of food.
