Auntie Violet was the youngest of three daughters and five brothers of these now only Uncle Tom McCord is left. Tom is the oldest registered Electrician still working in NZ. Last night he was teaching the clarinet and saxophone to high school students.     My mother Hazel was the first child and helped bring up the youngest namely Violet and Tom.

Funny thing hearing my Auntie and Uncle talk about my mother being like a mother to them also.

The three girls were very beautiful women and adored by their five brothers, Violet and Elsie ( Marie ) sang together on Radio NZ they were quite high society girls who worked for Max Factor as sales models.

When I was seven years old Bob and Hazel Butel   (  my parents ) shifted from Southland way up North to the Bay Of Islands where it is much warmer, so we did not see a lot of our family’s in the south. But quite regularly Elsie ,Violet and nanny McCord would visit their big sister and us. We really looked forwards to that because they seemed like film stars to us. They would send us biscuits/ chocolates and latterly clothes when they moved to Australia. Mum and my two sisters got very excited when they sent Australian clothes and makeup.

Auntie Violet always held her head high , very fashion conscious and turned heads where ever she went.   She had a wonderful personality. When ever I saw Mum and her two sisters together it was amazing to see their excitement/ chatter and love for each other.

After my mum Hazel passed away I liked to talk to auntie Violet because it was almost like talking to my Mum.

Shirley King ( my sister ) from Moerewa,   B.O.I.  and myself from Whangarei send our love to our cousins in Australia and are thinking of you all at this time.

I am 68, still working, and have wonderful memories of our families, we are all from everlasting to everlasting this life is for learning/ having fun and being nice to each other.

Violet is now with my Mum her sister Elsie , four brothers and her parents, they are all very strong people , there will be a lot of laughter  and rejoicing to be together again. Can you imagine the chatter!!!!!

God bless      Violet    Horton         ( McCord ).                 We will all miss her.

Message from Tom:

I just want to say how much I enjoyed and appreciated being able to ring and talk to Violet every Sunday night and to reminisce  about days gone by when we were younger.

I can remember really clearly the day Violet was born. I think it must have been a Sunday because she was born at home and dad was there. He brought Violet out in to the room for all of us to see her. I remember she was wrapped up and dad took Violet around all the family so we could all see her and he showed us her fontanel and how soft it was.

I miss calling her on Sunday nights, and reminiscing about the old days. I remember when we lived in Gore when we were kids and she used to have a pet lamb called Molly. It was her pet lamb.

And we both really enjoyed the time she came over her a few years ago. We got together for a few days and we went around looking at places we remembered including the home where we lived. We talked about old days and met with people she hadn’t seen for many years.

I am sorry I can’t be there at the funeral but I will be thinking of you all.

With love

Violet’s brother, Tom

It has been a really difficult time losing Mum

as we were close all my life. Her last weeks were really hard, she was

struggling to breathe but never gave up & was a fighter until the end. The

trip she took to NZ was the highlight of her last years as she dearly

loved seeing all her family. I only wish more of her family could have

visited her as she would have done anything for them.

She deeply loved my children & they her, it was a gift for us to have that

time with her, although at the time we didn¹t know & took it for granted.

Unfortunately all too often this was the case for Mum, being taken for

granted by those around her. She learnt to drive in her 60¹s when she

moved to Queensland so that she could get some independence which for most

of her life had been denied. She had a lot of amazing achievements, that

too few recognised. She was a beautiful person with a heart full of love.

She was scared of dying alone & wanted me there which I endeavoured to do

but unfortunately I wasn¹t there for her & she passed away a few days

early. I had spent a few hours there with her that day & luckily took my

daughters in. She couldn¹t speak but held on to my eldest daughter, which

must have taken an enormous effort, as she didn¹t want us to go. I think

she knew she was about to die & wanted us to stay.

I will miss here dearly until my dying day & wish that now she finally has

some peace.

Please pass on my love to Tom, my only remaining connection to Mum.

Love

Steve

Memories of Aunty Violet

Although I haven’t spent much time with Aunty Violet over the years, I feel that I know her really well. Over the years my dad (Tom, her brother) has spoken of her many,  many times, recalling their childhood and young adult years together. He has fond memories of Violet and recalls them vividly. We listened to recordings of Violet and Elsie singing on Radio that dad had recorded. They had such beautiful voices, and it was so exciting for us to sit around and listen to. Violet wore beautiful glamorous clothes – I recall photos of her in gorgeous hats, tailored suits and high-heels. Karen must have inherited Violet’s great eye for fashion. I can recall Karen coming to our house when she was young, looking so pretty in a gorgeous party dress. Violet sent us a photo of Karen when she was older, modelling Jag clothes, and another glamorous one of her sent from the USA.

I remember when I was quite young, Nanny McCord coming to stay with us in Mataura, and watching as she brushed her long mane of hair and pinning it into a bun. I remember that she brought these magic little halib-orange vitamins with her in her suitcase, and gave them to us. I remember that she was very close to her daughters. When they moved to Australia, they sent us photos of family growing up over the years which was really nice. Violet was a very proud mum and grandmother and often spoke of Steven’s career achievements and spending time with her grand-daughters right from when they were very little.

A number of years ago my mum, June went to Australia with her sister Dulcie and met up with Violet and Elsie when they were in Melbourne and spent some nice time together.

A few years ago when Violet came over to New Zealand to stay, she had a connecting flight to catch in Auckland, so I met her at the airport and had some time with her. She was so lovely and looked so young and fit. She was so family focused, just like my dad.

I found it really difficult losing my lovely mum a few years ago, and so it must be really difficult for all of you. I know that Tom is missing Violet dearly but the lovely fond memories live on forever.

Thinking of you with lots of family love and memories

Cousin Melanie (McCord-Holland)