A memorial was unveiled for Geraldine local Gillian Cleaver in a public ceremony last Wednesday.
To honour her life and the charity she had shown, there was a memorial and tree planting at the Memorial Walk on Wednesday morning, recognising the large sum of money bequeathed to charities in Geraldine after her death in November 2023.
Mrs Cleaver (nee Dence) was born February 9, 1933 in Norton, Shropshire in the United Kingdom.
She emigrated to New Zealand in the early 1960s and married John Cleaver at Woodbury.
The couple lived in Fairlie, where Mrs Cleaver worked as a school bus driver, before they moved to Geraldine in the early 1980s where she took the job as a postie.
Mr Cleaver died in 1995.
During her time living in Geraldine, Mrs Cleaver was known as a strong, independent woman, not frightened to speak her mind, an excellent organiser and a hard worker.
She gained a reputation for being involved in the community,and always being willing to lend a hand.
She was a key member of several local groups, including being a life member of the Geraldine Vintage Machinery Club, and a foundation member of the Geraldine Kennel Club.
In her spare time, she used to pick up old furniture destined for the tip, restore it and then give it away for others to use.
Mrs Cleaver loved nature and spent a lot of time in her gardens, working tirelessly on her land.
She was an expert propagator, growing fruit.
Every year she was able she gave apples to McKenzie HealthCare and Waihi Lodge.
She was devoted to her animals and loved her little farm at Templer St.
Mrs Cleaver reared bobby calves and bred Staffordshire bull terriers.
She was often being seen walking the dogs around the streets of Geraldine.
She also bred horses, including racehorses, and raced them all over the South Island.
Mrs Cleaver also owned a Welsh cob horse called Taffy who competed in various events.
They participated in many street parades over the years and had the very important job of transporting Santa in the Geraldine Christmas parades.
The five charities that received funds were Geraldine Community Vehicle Trust, Geraldine Vintage Machinery Club, Geraldine Volunteer Fire Brigade, Senior Care Geraldine, and Hato Hone St Johns. Representatives from all five of these groups were at the unveiling last week. — APL
