Topic: Mary Ellen Wilson
Topic type:
Memories of our respected colleague and friend
New Zealand Services Librarian, Mary Ellen Wilson, passed away on Monday morning (31 October 2011) after a short battle with cancer. After more than 25 years working at our library she will be missed by her many friends and colleagues.
A ‘celebration of life’ gathering will take place at 12 noon on Sunday (6 November) at Te Runanga Tea House in Government Gardens. At Mary Ellen’s own request people attending are invited to dress informally, in their own favourite colour or Mary Ellen’s favourite colour, blue.
Below, Library manager Jane Gilbert shares a few thoughts about Mary Ellen:
“A wicked sense of humour…”
Mary Ellen had been 25 years at the Library. An experienced reference librarian, the depth of her knowledge and expertise will be very hard to replace. Mary Ellen was the consummate Library professional.
In the last 18 months she contributed to a very successful library staff training programme and all those who underwent training with ME benefitted from her thoroughness and attention to detail.
ME was a unique personality, with a dry and quite wicked sense of humour, who was always particularly supportive of Children’s Programmes, more specifically ones where she could dress up. Her favourite was Halloween and her witch’s cackle was legendary.
ME served for many years on the PSA Committee. Mary Ellen was someone who always seemed to give a lot more than she got and who had a real passion for Rotorua, the Library and RDC.
The library has lost a treasure. We will miss her very much.
Jane Gilbert, Library Manager
Please add any of your own memories
