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MANGAWHAI'S NO.1 NEWSPAPER
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A life dedicated to family and community
Marie grew up in Auckland, the eldest daughter of Carlton and Lillian Pollard. In her teens she excelled at sport playing representative tennis, swimming and, at the age of 17 becoming the Intermediate North Island springboard diving champion. Upon leaving school Marie qualified as a primary school teacher but even then water was in her blood. A keen surfer – but unable to join a club as women were not permitted in her local Muriwai or Piha Clubs – there was really no stopping her quiet determination and so at just 18, Marie and her girlfriends formed the Milford Girls Surf Club. It was not long after when attending the National Lifeguard Championships that she met Rodger Flavell and became, shortly thereafter, a farmer’s wife starting out at Te Kohanga, Port Waikato. Some might see a gradual move from her Remuera roots to a farming settlement at Te Kohanga, south-west of Auckland as a retrograde step, but Marie had potential, energy and determination, producing incredible results and touching people and families far and wide through her many abilities. Marie and Rodger Flavell arrived at Tomarata in 1970 with Marie expecting their sixth child. So began a life that continued her already set path and made the Mangawhai community richer for her involvement. While she enjoyed farm life and the outdoors, the call of the sea remained strong, not just for Marie but, like a mother duck she led her children and then grandchildren along that same path being recently honoured with a lifetime award from Mangawhai Surf Lifesaving Club. With a young family her teaching prowess came to the fore playing a significant part in the playcentre movement, instrumental in reinvigorating Kaiwaka Playcentre and filling roles as a pre-school teacher, councillor and family therapist. Her determination was displayed over the decade it took to get her first degree, a Bachelor of Education (the first of many academic credentials) while raising a large family and leading a very busy farm life. Her niche was primarily with special needs children, endearing herself with knowledge and an ability to assist wherever needed delivering leadership, wisdom, enthusiasm and inspiration – though she never really saw herself in that light. Her six children over time presented her with 12 grandchildren though upon her marriage to Earle Barnes 21 years ago she was to inherit even more. As family obligations eased Marie and Earle travelled extensively, criss-crossing throughout New Zealand in their motorhome, tripping to Europe and Croatia, and just a couple of years ago to Central and South America, the Galapagos Islands and Machu Picchu. Marie loved these exotic places but was also interested in and accepting of other cultures. She also found a new interest – flax weaving. Marie’s flax garden, Pa Harekeke, was hers but open to anyone who wanted to try the art of weaving. She grew, dyed and weaved her flax, a pastime that gave her considerable joy of weaving. She also attended classes all over the country, not teaching, but loving the involvement with like- minded people and always showing interest in their interpretations of the art, the fellowship and invariably the music that was also a part of these gatherings. Her weaving also became an integral part of the Mangawhai art scene, further evidence of her love, commitment and respect for Mangawhai. Though at one point she was given but a few months left, Marie defied this prediction by well over a year showing the determination that had carried her through her 77 years, but in her later months accepting the role reversal as her husband and family all rallied to take care of her. Marie passed away quietly at home on Sunday May 3 surrounded by her entire family. She was a woman who left a very small footprint but created a very big impression. <<ends>> MARIE FLAVELL: A great example to those around her was a desire to keep learning, get involved in things, love your family, and help others. |
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