Collaboratively written by her daughters.

This blog post is in honor Kathleen Therese Reynolds, a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, friend, and wife. She was deeply cherished by her husband of 60 years, Ron, her four daughters – Kathie, Astrid, Sonya, and Brigitte – eight grandchildren, and her first great-granddaughter. Her presence brought joy to all who knew her, and she will be deeply missed.

Born on October 2nd, 1928, in Tafitoala, Samoa, Mum was the third child of Ebbe Peter Thompson and Selenia Matalaoa Fonoti. From an early age, she displayed an adventurous spirit that would define much of her life. As one of St. Mary’s renowned Sister Patrick’s girls, and armed with her proficient shorthand and typing skills, Mum embarked on her first big adventure at the tender age of 18, moving to New Zealand.

After working in Wellington for a couple of years, her wanderlust led her to England, drawn partly by its proximity to Denmark – her beloved father’s homeland. To the surprise of her parents, she booked her passage without telling them, sending them a postcard from the Suez Canal.

During her time in England, Mum traveled across the continent, spending cherished moments in Denmark getting to know her Danish uncles and aunts. One of her most memorable experiences was camping out on Pall Mall to secure front-row spots for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in June 1953—a testament to her spirited nature.

Mum returned to Samoa in 1956 and began working for The Treasury Department. It was there she met a cheeky young accountant who bore more than a passing resemblance to Mum’s favorite actor, Gregory Peck. After a playful encounter involving a typewriter and a mischievous carriage return, the rest, as they say, is history. Mum and Dad married in 1957 and built a beautiful life together.

Our childhood in Samoa was idyllic. Sundays were special, with Dad cooking breakfast while we attended church, followed by family picnics on the other side of the island. We have fond memories of trips to Salamumu, swimming in the freshwater pools and waterfalls atop Mafa Pass, and frequent visits to Sliding Rocks. Our home in Lotopa was a haven, with Mum’s love for orchids evident in the stunning display of Singapore orchids and gerberas that lined our circular driveway.

We thought our mum was the most beautiful woman in the world. She dressed fashionably, wore bright red lipstick, and had long, dark hair that she would wear in a bun or a French roll. As children, we would squabble for the privilege of combing it and getting all the tangles out while she sat in an armchair reading her favorite magazines. Even when she and Dad would go out to the pictures, she would dress up—often in something she’d sewn that day.

In 1972, we moved to Christchurch for schooling and to be closer to Dad’s aging parents. Mum poured her passion for gardening into cultivating a bountiful vegetable garden, growing everything from apples and grapes to silverbeet, asparagus, tomatoes, lettuces, and her famous Danish potatoes—the seedlings of which she had smuggled into the country in her shoes. She learned the art of pruning apples and roses from our grandad and took great pride in preserving the fruits of her labor by making jams, pickles, and her famous green tomato chutney.

Mum was an exceptional cook who loved nothing more than feeding people. Her shrimp curry and pineapple & lemon meringue pie were legendary, and many a hungry university student would appear just to enjoy staples like chop suey, German potato salad, and pisupo.

Beyond cooking, Mum was also a talented seamstress—entirely self-taught. Inspired by fashion magazine clippings, she sewed beautiful clothes for herself and us on her old Singer treadle machine. Birthdays and Christmases were marked by new dresses, often matching for all of us, showcasing her incredible skill and creativity. She even handmade all our school uniforms, saving pennies wherever she could to fund new adventures and experiences, including taking us to see the latest shows that toured New Zealand, such as “Jesus Christ Superstar.”

Becoming a grandmother was one of Mum’s greatest joys. She adored her grandchildren, showering them with unconditional love, attention, and, of course, delicious food. Her home was always open to them, and she relished every moment spent playing, teaching Suipi, and creating lasting memories with them.

In retirement, Mum explored yet another passion—art. Whether painting on fabric or canvas, she expressed herself by copying the works of other artists and then happily signing her own name to the piece. She and Dad continued their love for travel, exploring Europe, India, the United States, Bali, Australia, and Canada together. They also enjoyed camping holidays, particularly to Totaranui, and later traveled around the South Island in their caravan. Golf became another shared pastime, providing countless hours of enjoyment and camaraderie with friends.

In 1997, Mum and Dad made the move to Auckland from Christchurch to be closer to their grandchildren, settling in Rambler Crescent, Beach Haven. They spent 15 happy years building new memories and friendships.

Mum’s faith was a cornerstone of her life. A devout Catholic, she served the church diligently well into her later years and was proud to have undertaken a pilgrimage to Medjugorje, Bosnia. Her generosity, kindness, and unwavering faith touched the lives of many and left an indelible mark on all who knew her.

Our parents cherished their independence fiercely but finally agreed to live with Sonya. The move in 2013 was not easy for both Dad and Mum because they were so used to their independence. But with Kathie’s gentle determination and Astrid’s help, Sonya returned home from a trip away to find her house taken over by… Parents!!

As the years passed, our mother faced the challenges of dementia with a strength that was nothing short of inspiring. Even as her memories began to fade, the essence of who she was remained clear. She never lost her smile when we walked into her room. Her spirit knew no boundaries with her interactions, and she continued to shine through even in the most difficult times.

We are grateful for the countless memories we shared. She taught us the importance of kindness, of living a life filled with love, and of always finding a reason to smile.

Today, it has been one month since she passed away. While we grieve our loss, we also celebrate the beautiful life she led and the incredible legacy she leaves behind. Her generosity, her love, and her strength will forever be a part of us.

Thank you, Mum, for everything. You will be missed, but your spirit will live on in all of us.

May you rest in eternal peace.