The funeral will be held tomorrow of Mary Shirtcliffe, a partner and finance director of Shirtcliffe & Co, the company she and her husband, Matt (a former CD at Saatchi|DGS NZ), set up in downtown Auckland in 2010.
Mary will be farewelled at the family church, St Paul’s in Symonds Street, tomorrow (Thursday 14 May) at 1pm; friends are welcome to attend. A private burial will take place on Waiheke the following day.
The family has asked for donations in lieu of flowers – to Mental Health Foundation (www.mentalhealth.org.nz).
They remembered her, in the Herald Classifieds, as “the totally devoted, kind and deliciously fun mother of George and Ella (and Tintin and PW), caring and committed wife and soul mate of Matt”.
Here’s Mary’s own bio, as told on the agency website (www.shirtcliffe.co.nz):
“Using her background as a farmer and agribusiness manager, one of Mary’s roles at Shirtcliffe and Co is to ensure our work shows a deep understanding of rural audiences. To do this, she maintains constant contact with our network of farmers and rural professionals throughout the country.
Meantime, she is still actively involved with the family sheep and beef farm, which is part of the large Pohuetai operation near Dannevirke. The farm has been integrated into the Rissington Breedline programme, supplying Silverfern Farms.
Mary is also Shirtcliffe and Co’s Finance Director, ensuring the business stays on a sound financial footing, our invoicing is accurate and suppliers are promptly paid.
Born and bred on a 3rd generation sheep and beef farm in the Southern Hawke’s Bay, Mary has always had a deep involvement in farming. She completed her agricultural studies at Lincoln University, before working as a rural advisor to the Department of Maori Affairs.
After a stint as a rural advisor to the Government of Paraguay, she returned to New Zealand and spent the next 10 years managing
a highly successful and innovative family farm partnership with her brother. Married life brought about a change in career, and she worked for the next four years as a Rural Manager for the National Bank.
Outside of work, Mary is a busy mother to George and Ella, as well as being the family’s chief Dog Trainer. She shares a passion for the great outdoors, and is an avid walker and gardener.
And here’s the Herald Classified:
SHIRTCLIFFE, Mary Ella (nee Robertshawe). Of Ponsonby, Waiheke and Dannevirke 15 October 1963-8 May 2015 Our gorgeous Mary died suddenly and tragically at home on Friday. Totally devoted, kind and deliciously fun mother of George and Ella (and Tintin and PW), caring and committed wife and soul mate of Matt, close sister of Angela, Simon and Rachael, baby daughter of the late Nigel and Lois, adored daughter-in-law of Tim and Claire, cheeky sister in law of Geof, Andi, Richard and Sarah, aunt of Gareth, Talia, TJ, Alex, Monty, Griffin and Coco.
Dear friend to so many, from Ponsonby to St Paul’s, Onetangi to Otope, Philosophy House to Fusion. Mary, your warm smile and sparkling eyes, fun and laughter, kindness and intelligence, were loved and admired by all who knew you, more than you ever knew. May you be at peace, and the joy and happiness you brought us all remain alive in our hearts and stories forever.
A funeral for Mary will be at our family church, St Paul’s, Symonds Street on Thursday 14 May at 1pm; you are most welcome to attend. A private burial will take place on Waiheke the following day.
Sincerest thanks for the overwhelming love and support Mary’s family has received , from so many whose hearts, like ours, are broken.
Kia Kaha. Arohanui.”
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