Yvonne Morrow (1915-1999)

Yvonne was the first born daughter of Ruby and Vivian Morrow, 1915. Sister of Gwen and Alison. Attended Whitiora School and Hamilton Technical College. Worked for FAC, (AFC) Hamilton all her working life. Lived with her parents at Ulster Street and later with sister Gwen at Cardrona Avenue. Moved to Glenbrae, Rotorua Feb 1999; died in Rotorua 1st June 1999.

Before the outbreak of the Second World War she was, according to a niece, engaged to Jock Mc. Gruther who was killed in action. No one ever measured up to Jock and she remained single. When she died the following notes supported the eulogy.

“Yvonne Morrow was born in 1915 during WWI the oldest of three girls in the family of Ruby and Viv Morrow of Ulster St Hamilton. Yvonne's sisters were Gwen and Alison. They all attended the Whitiora School where Yvonne was a prefect and Dux. She continued her Secondary schooling at Hamilton Technical College.

WORK TRAINING. 1930-75
Yvonne entered as a junior in the typing pool at AFC / now FAC and rose to be secretary to the manager at FAC. Vonnie stayed there all her working life expressing her gifts of administration and management. One day at the age of 60 Vonnie arrived home with a cooked chicken and a bottle of wine and announced to her family members that she had retired and said “let's celebrate.”

INTERESTS AND ACHIEVEMENTS.
This attractive, capable woman was a gentle risktaker. Vonnie was a woman who enjoyed her independence and her personal; freedom. She was a lady who knew her own mind and enjoyed discussion and could actively listen on a deep level. She was a wise lady who was not afraid of sharing her true feelings and emotions.

To her own family she was known affectionately as AUNTY BUNNY by her Great nieces and nephews. [Jane could not say Vonnie when small and called her bunny and this was adopted by the rest of the family.]

Vonnie was a vital and creative woman who appreciated the aesthetics of a room, an occasion, a garden, the natural world of crystal and shells fascinated her. She lived with Gwen her sister for 24 years at Cardrona Avenue. Gwen died in 1990. They were a complimentary pair though very different personalities and giftings. This allowed their individual creativity and flair to be expressed. Gwen was the practically creative one Vonnie the creative / imaginative. Vonnie loved her garden and beautiful and pretty things. There were always fresh flowers on the table to decorate the room.

IMPRESSIONS:
Vonnie Morrow was like a “Fairy God -Mother” to her nieces and nephews. They remember the bowl of fresh sweets/chocolates [a favourite of her Dar.], the sponges and scones when they visited. There was no sitting around wondering what to do at Aunty Bunnies- she actively encouraged her nieces and nephews to enter into games of all kinds, being imaginative like herself. Play-acting and writing was in. Games of all sorts was in. Though no children of her own Vonnie enjoyed her nieces and nephews. She was generous and full of fun, ready to take them off to town, always having something different. Not the normal run of toys and games were to be found at Cardrona Ave. but may fascinating activities.

PASSIONS.
Vonnie's passions were reading, writing and music She was an exceptionally good letter writer, salting her text with humour and with her poems [poems]. Vonnie loved music and was honoured with Life Membership of the “recorded Music Club “ in Hamilton.Vonnie had a large circle of friends. She was tiny and dainty and a beautifully dressed lady. She loved dressing up and enjoyed times with her family and other friends. Vonnie liked to be adventurous - She toured New Zealand, visited Raratonga and Australia a few times. In her 83rd year Vonnie Morrow moved to “Glenbrae” in Rotorua to live and be near her sister Alison and family in Whakatāne and Napier. This was a fairly traumatic experience for Vonnie leaving behind her home and lifelong friends and all she knew and loved. It was a matter of necessity that she move, but Vonnie did not accept the move fully and never truly settled in Rotorua. She always yearned to return to Hamilton. Isn't it true the saying “ HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS”. Vonnie was a strong Christian, a believer daily she prayed that the Lord would Guide her. She also held a strong belief in the power of prayer.

“Ask and you will receive, seek and you shall find, knock and the door will be opened to you. “ [Matt 6]
Vonnie believed and acted on this in Prayer;
"Whatever you ask of the Father in my name, said Jesus, the Father will give you.” [Jn 15:16]

Vonnie has been part of the fellowship and life of 1st Church in Hamilton since she was 7 years old. We shall all miss Vonnie Morrow as a sister, a wonderful aunt and fiend., a confidant an inspirer. As the Lord has given Vonnie as a gift to you all let us release her into the sure and loving hands of the Lord.

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