About 50 people attended the unveiling of a picnic table and plaque, installed as a memorial to the late Jill Newton of Ashburton, last Saturday.
The longserving volunteer died in January this year, at the age of 74.
Spokesman for the Ashburton Ostomy Society Errol Kingsbury was the driving force behind the memorial.
‘‘Jill has been awarded a number of personal accolades, but this table will give us a permanent reminder of a little lady with the heart of a lion who refused to let any obstacle, health or otherwise, hinder her zest for life,’’ Errol said.
Despite the recent winding up of the society, members had felt the project was too important not to complete.
‘‘I have only known Jill for about six years, but was very impressed with her volunteer work in Ashburton over many years. Also her work with ostomates worldwide.
Jill became an ostomate in the early 1970s. She was chair of the society for 21 years, served as national president and on the executive for 18 years, and was editor of a national ostomate magazine for 18 years.
The table, at the eastern end of the EA Networks Centre, was close to the centre’s pool which Jill swam in most days. She had volunteered for the community pool for 33 years.
‘‘The council had already decided to install a picnic table there and felt it was a fitting memorial, as there was already a Newton Rd in Mid Canterbury and they didn’t think Jill would want a statue.’’
Other organisations she volunteered for included the Ashburton Salvation Army, Red Cross, Civil Defence, Ashburton community Christmas lunch, Presbyterian Support, Ashburton Kidney Support Group, Ashburton Community Patrol, Neighbourhood Support, Hato Hone St John and New Zealand Police.
Representatives of some of these groups spoke at the unveiling.
Mayor Neil Brown and Jill’s daughter Jill Jarvis unveiled the table, while Salvation Army Corps Officer Elizabeth Walker-Ratu dedicated the table.
