IN MEMORIAM

nita van boven

14 September 1951 - 12 March 2021

It is a privilege to write about my friend and colleague Nita van Boven, who passed away on March 12th 2021, only months before her 70th birthday.

Nita was born on Norfolk Island, but moved with her family to New Zealand and grew up in Tauranga, where, following in her mother’s footsteps, she began nursing training. Nita married Bob van Boven and together they had two sons, John and George, after which Nita resumed her training, beginning a lifetime of service caring for patients with diligence and skill.

Nita worked in different areas including SCBU, ICU, and maternity, and graduated with an Advanced Diploma of Nursing (Midwifery) in 1988. That year she went to a special interest-group meeting, which I am told was the genesis of the College and autonomous midwifery.

I met Nita in 1991, when she was a Clinical Midwife Specialist. She had high standards, was an excellent role-model and mentor, and garnered respect from midwifery and medical colleagues alike. In 1995, Nita and several colleagues established the Rotorua Independent Midwives United practice (RIMU). Committed to providing natural labour and birth care, including homebirth, Nita was the last original member remaining, and retired from LMC midwifery after 20 plus years.

Midwifery has lost an exceptional member of our profession and Nita’s friends have lost a textiles genius; a loving, intelligent, funny and generous woman. - Maureen O’Reilly - Abridged

rhondda kerins

28 April 1948 – 28 December 2020

It was with great sadness that we learnt of the sudden death of our beloved friend, colleague, mentor and midwife to many, Rhondda Kerins, on 28 December 2020.

Rhondda was a highly regarded midwife of the Auckland/Tamaki-Makarau region. Always with a warm and welcoming smile, a twinkle in her eye, encouraging words and hilarious stories, Rhondda touched the hearts of everyone she worked with and was always great fun to be around.

Her midwifery career of 40+ years spanned the full spectrum of midwifery roles, including Charge Midwife at St Helens, AUT Midwifery Educator, Director of Midwifery at Counties Manukau DHB, LMC, and core midwife at Auckland DHB Labour and Birthing Suite. She was also a founding member of the College.

Her passion for midwifery was only matched by her passion for shoe-buying, red lipstick, and long, lingering baths - from where she often shared her midwifery wisdom with those of us who knew her well enough.

Perhaps Rhondda’s greatest and most enjoyable role was becoming Grandda to Sebastian (Norway) and Margot (Auckland) in recent years; her continued zest for life evident in her interactions with her mokopuna.

Rhondda is an enormous loss to our midwifery whānau, but an even greater loss to her immediate whānau. Thank you to Dennis, Catherine, Annah, Andrea and mokopuna, for sharing Rhondda with us. Rhondda lives on in our hearts.

- Dawn Holland

glenda stimpson

12 July 1939 - 6 May 2021

I would like to offer my condolences to Alison and the family on the loss of dear Glenda.

Glenda was a midwife at National Women’s Hospital/Health for 43 years and later, elder of the Auckland Regional College Committee. Also a founding member of the College, Glenda's contribution to midwifery as a strong advocate over the years has been invaluable.

Glenda's commitment to the cause was also illustrated through her photography, capturing countless moments at both a local level and at national midwifery conferences. Glenda's legacy of photo albums and midwifery library can be explored in Royal Oak, at the Auckland region rooms. Thank you, Glenda, for providing such a wonderful catalogue for students and future midwives to look back on. As you always said, new midwives must know our history.

Glenda's reputation preceded her, as any senior doctor at National Women’s could substantiate; if there is one midwife everyone will remember, it is Glenda.

Perhaps one of Glenda’s most precious qualities as a midwife was her love of a story over a cup of tea. Glenda was always available to colleagues - on the other end of the phone, ready to support any midwife as needed, and even in her later years, Glenda focused on providing pastoral care for midwives.

Thank you, Glenda, for your lifelong commitment to midwifery. Your presence will be greatly missed. - Juliette Wotton