Stories

James Bushell
Father Jenny Adams Father Jenny Adams

James Bushell

“It gets a lot easier to deal with emotionally, and there can be as much joy in what you had, as sadness in what’s been lost.”

James Bushell’s arts-loving dad died after a short illness when James was in his mid-teens. His mother gave him space and independence as they both grieved his father, something James believes preserved their still-close relationship.

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Roberta Hope
Cancer, Mother Jenny Adams Cancer, Mother Jenny Adams

Roberta Hope

“When I think of my mother, I don’t think of a loss… I had my dad”

Roberta Hope’s mother died when the girl was only five. Now in her fifties, Roberta has few memories of her mother. However, she was buoyed through her childhood by the love of her dad, and never felt she lacked for a mum.

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Melanie Kerr, celebrant
Children Jenny Adams Children Jenny Adams

Melanie Kerr, celebrant

“Telling the truth right at the beginning will save discomfort and distress down the line”

Melanie Kerr is a Dunedin-based celebrant who often finds herself officiating at the funerals and memorials of parents who have left behind young children. There’s always a place for the children in a funeral service, she says.

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Amie Richardson
Husband, Cancer, Children Jenny Adams Husband, Cancer, Children Jenny Adams

Amie Richardson

“Kids lose that perspective of their parent being able to make everything okay.”

Amie Richardson’s husband, Wayne Biggs, was diagnosed with aggressive lymphoma when their sons were only two and five years old. She quickly had to work out how to support her sons through his sickness, death, and beyond.

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Kate Walker
Father, Education Jenny Adams Father, Education Jenny Adams

Kate Walker

“The thing I miss the most is not having an adult relationship with my father”

Kate Walkers’ dad died suddenly when she was eleven. He’d gone to bed with a headache, then was taken to hospital during the night. He never came home.

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Jeff Duncan
Mother, Cancer, Education Jenny Adams Mother, Cancer, Education Jenny Adams

Jeff Duncan

“Most people know their parents as people. We don’t. And we never will”

Jeff Duncan’s mother died from leukemia when he was ten. His story mirrors mine closely, which is not surprising as he’s my older brother… 

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