Obituary: Audrey Pritt

Audrey Eleanor Pritt, born 2 January 1926 in New Plymouth, in the same month as George Martin who became the Beatles producer, and the German airline Lufthansa was formed.

Audrey died on 4 September this year, aged 91. She moved to Ohakune at 6 years old – her  father working at the Post Office at Ohakune Junction. Audrey attended school in Ohakune, learned piano from the local nuns and highland dancing with her sister Anita, later entertaining American troops at the Junction.

After leaving school she worked in the Railways telephone exchange at the Ohakune Junction Station.

She went on to hairdressing school in New Plymouth, then took up her first job in Taihape, returning to Ohakune in 1948 to start her own salon. Audrey met Bill Pritt and they were married in 1951, moving to the farm on Smiths Road. With no electricity there at the time, she used a copper to do washing, a “Mrs Potts” iron and Coleman lamps for lighting.

The couple raised three daughters on the farm, Christine, Di and Lois. Audrey was involved in many community activities, including pantomimes where she played the piano for the Women’s Division of Federated Farmers choir.

She also served on the WDFF committee including as president. She was a keen golfer, winning the Junior Championships in 1967 and was made a life member of the club. She still played social golf into her 88th year, and served in most positions on the Club committee.

As a keen gardener she was a regular winner at flower shows including winning the Camelia Cup five times at the Waimarino Flower Show.

She was a member of the Waimarino Wine Club and worked with daughter Di in the Waimarino Wines from 1988 until 1993.

Audrey also worked at Bucks Drapery from 1966 until 1971. Though throughout her adult  Audrey. life she worked on the farm, first with Bill until his death in 1989 and also with Di mostly feeding calves. During her time at Ohakune she witnessed two major eruptions of Mt Ruapehu, the first in 1945 and then again in 1995-96.

A service was held for Audrey at the Waimarino Golf Club on 11 September this year, attended by countless family, friends and golfing partners.

Obituary courtesy of the Ohakune Bulletin