Maria Johanna Gemma Anderson

Died peacefully early on Xmas Eve morning at Huntleigh Home, Karori, Wellington. Beloved wife of Adrian for not quite 50 years. Loved Mum of Norman, Michael, Richard and Christina (still born), and mother-in-law of Sharon. Loved Oma of Danica, Henry, Isaac, and Hope. Elder sister and sister-in-law of John and Janette, Elisabeth and Ian; and Hilda Anderson. Aunt of Henry, David, Felicity and Genevieve; Joanna, Carla and Alex. Dear friend of Kevin, Jennifer and Nigel D’Souza. Heartfelt thanks to the management and staff of Huntleigh Home since February 2025 for their great care of Maria. Thanks also go to the Health Professionals at Karori Medical Centre and to the teams at Wellington and Keneperu Hospitals whose treatment over many years enabled Maria to bounce back, oh so many times. Sadly, there was no bounce this time. Maria’s funeral will be held in St Teresa’s Catholic Church, on Wednesday 14 January, at 11.00am, followed by burial in Makara Cemetery.

TRIBUTES

Rosemary Moran

To Adrian and family and the Giesen family, remembering with affection more than seventy years of friendship with Maria. May she rest in peace.

Elizabeth Bruce

Dear Anderson Family, My sincere sympathy in the passing of dear Maria. She certainly was a survivor and such an inspiration. It was my pleasure to be a little part of her Cares over the years (as well as Hilda) and good to see Norman from time to time at the clinic.
Maria leaves a place noone can fill. A devoted wife and mother, grandmother, friend of God and of many.
God bless you in these days of grief and sadness.
Liz Bruce Health Care Assistant with District Nursing.

Judith Dickson

To Adrian and family,
Please accept my deepest sympathy on the loss of Maria, a loved wife, mother, oma and friend.
May she R.I.P
Judith Dickson and family.

Ken Chung

I am very sorry to hear about Maria.
She was always so kind to my mother and I at the Good Companions gatherings.
Always in our hearts.

Robert Roborgh

To the Anderson and extended family, very sad to hear of Maria’s passing.
A brave and cheerful woman despite years of physical struggles.
Always so proud of her family, with a strong connection to people, events and places in her long life.
Thank you Maria, for staying connected to our family too.
Wishing you and your family, peace and strength during this important time in your lives.
With love,
Bob Roborgh.

Murray Eggers

To Adrian and family
I was sad to read of Maria’s death and have been thinking of those days when we were neighbours, from your arrival in Chamberlain Road until I moved to Kapiti on my retirement in 2002. Since then, as you are aware, she telephoned me from time to time over the next 20 years and I shall never forget her slightly accented ‘Maria here’ on the the telephone, right up to the time she went into care.I think we had interests in common, one being my being having been brought up in a German community near Motueka and visiting Germany and Europe regularly in retirement. In her youth Maria also of course spent time in the Motueka area and we knew people in common, especially the Roborghs , whose boys were at Motueka High School with me in the fifties. The father Robough was involved in the hop industry, as was my father and other German settlers who introduced the industry to the district. Maria’s life was no bed of roses health-wise, especially latterly, but she struggled on gamely for a number of years and reached a good age, becoming a grandmother. I am sure Maria will be long-remembered in Karori, in both the church and community in general.

Felicity Bertenshaw

Fond memories of my aunt and godmother Maria. It’s rare for someone to show such genuine interest in others and such memory for a story. Her conversations were always so animated and memorable. Maria showed resilience amd remarkable positivity despite many years of health issues. My thoughts are with Adrian, Norman, Michael, Richard and their families at this time.

Anthony Merrick

To Adrian, Norman, Michael, Richard and Family.
So sorry to hear of your loss.
Thinking of you at this time.
Anthony.

Mary Chapman

To Adrian, the Anderson and Giesen families,
I remember Maria’s family visit to us in Kaiapoi in 1958.
I remember clear as day, walking arm-in-arm taking care of Maria in Form III at St Cathrine’s College in Christchurch in 1959.
As my family moved North to Auckland, I really missed her and Maria made sure we stayed in happy contact over the phone and we shared milestones as well as general news. Her hospitality when we visited in Wellington in 2019 was very touching.
Hugh and I will be with you in thoughts and prayers tomorrow, Wednesday 14 January 2026.
With love
Mary Chapman (neé Schmidt)

Elizabeth (Beth) Duffy (married name McDonnell)

My thoughts and prayers are with you today and in the future Adrian, Norman, Michael, and Richard.
I first met Maria when we were both teaching at Sacred Heart Girls College in Christchurch in 1974 or 5. We reconnected in Wellington in 1976 when we were both expecting our first children. We kept in touch and would visit as families up until 1989 when Mike and I moved to Melbourne with our children. Michael spent one memorable Christmas Day with us in Ferntree Gully about the time he was moving to Melbourne. Maria was a faithful letter writer and I always enjoyed meeting up with her on occasional visits to Melbourne and once or twice when I visited Wellington.

Maryna Mews

Maria was my dearest friend from university days, even though I was at Victoria while she was at Christchurch. We met at an inter-university gathering at Curious Cove in summer 1966, and maintained contact every since. She was also a good friend of my mother, Genia Glowacki when she lived in Karori. She was such a warm personality, interested in many things relating to history, culture and social issues. I will greatly miss our chats and occasional meetings in person. My husband Constant also sends his deepest condolences and recalls her as a great conversationalist. With all our sympathies for Adrian, and Michael, Richard, and Norman, and their families, Maryna and Constant Mews

Paul Weir

Dear Adrian and John,
I was very sad to learn of Maria’s passing, and wanted to let you both know I joined you via the streaming service this morning.
My young vivid recollections of Maria were her senior years at St Joseph’s, in particular how kind she was to everyone, and they once again came to life this morning sharing her Requiem.  Adrian, I had no idea you and Maria were married until I met John shortly following Jamie’s passing, and of course it’s over 60 years since you and I spoke!
Thank you for a lovely and fitting farewell to a lovely Wife, Mother and Lady. I am sure she is very much at peace with my beautiful Wendy and Mother Mary in Heaven.
Sincere condolences and Kind regards,
Paul Weir