WILSON, JOSEPHINE ALICE (JOSIE) nee MacDONALD

Josie MacDonald was born on the 26 November 1932 at Hawera, the daughter of Robert and Grace Eleanor MacDonald nee Kivell. In 1945, Josie worked in Irene Rota (Powdrell)'s photography business as an after school job. Upon leaving school, she worked there full time until 1955 when her and a co-employee, Doris Watts, bought Irene out. Josie operated this business until 1965. On the 3 March 1959, she married Kevin Alexander Wilson, known as Bill, and were partners in a sportsgoods and bag shop in Hawera. Josie loved whitebaiting and fishing, and with Bill, spent many happy hours surfcasting at Kaupokonui Beach and trout fishing from their small boat on Lake Rotorangi. The Hawera Pony Club played a major role during their daughter's teenage years. Their pony, Hi-San giving them all much pleasure in and out of the showring. Josie was a member of the Hawera Astronomical Society and was often out "star gazing" from her back yard or at the observatory. She was also a very keen wine maker, and had won many prizes at local shows. Josie was a charter member of the Altrusa Club of Hawera. She was a quiet unassuming lady who went about her tasks in the same way - always willing. Josie had battled cancer for many years, with major and minor surgery and through her early traumatic experiences found the Cancer Society was in need of a support network for patients and so set the ball-rolling. Through her efforts, the New Zealand Cancer Support Group was put in place. Josie Wilson died on the 30 October 1992 at Hawera aged 59 years. SOURCE Val Stokes, Hawera (friend)http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~sooty/josie.htm