Jane Denley died on March 9 after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer at age 58 and leaves behind a husband and four children.
She spent 27 years working for Whānau Āwhina Plunket in South Canterbury, firstly volunteering in car seat hire, to numerous committees, area societies and then 23 years as the community services manager of Mid-South Canterbury.
Mrs Denley was also member of the Children’s Day committee, and volunteered for Budget Advice, worked at the Salvation Army as a budget adviser and had recently joined the Aoraki Food Rescue board.
Days before she died, Plunket Staff were honoured to have been able to present her with a Timaru District Council Community Award.
In honour of her service to families and organisations around the region, South Canterbury Plunket is preparing to hold a public memorial to celebrate her life and the irreplaceable body of work she left behind, which included the innovative creations of Giving People Support (GPS), The Temuka, Twizel and Timaru Toy Libraries, the Waimate Parenting Hub and the Tamariki Tuatahi and South Canterbury Child Restraint Rentals service.
The memorial is planned for early May.
Although her Plunket whanau across the country were reeling from the sudden loss they were all very appreciative and honoured to have worked with Mrs Denley over the years.
Whānau Āwhina Plunket chief executive Fiona Kingsford said Mrs Denley was a highly respected and valued member of the Plunket team.
"She was a huge champion for her team, her region and community services mahi nationally.
"We have been truly fortunate to have had someone of her calibre with us and have valued Jane’s leadership, effort and commitment to improving outcomes for whānau."
National community services manager Melanie Laban said Mrs Denley was an absolute trail-blazer.
"She was a huge advocate for community services and for whanau with limited access to what they need. Most recently she was instrumental in helping set up and develop Community Services strategy, policies and procedures across the country.
"GPS is just one great example of Jane seeing a need and not only is that a huge success but it has been adopted across the country and slightly tweaked for each region. There is a treasure trove of good-news stories connected with GPS, and the difference it has made to many whanau."
There were many memories and lessons she would take from Mrs Denley, she said.
"Mostly, the open and frank advice she would give me and to love what you do, and you will never work a day in your life.
"It’s a well-known quote, but so Jane. We will never be able to or ever want to replace Jane but we must never forget the wahine that gave so much to many.
"My hope is only that we keep doing and growing the mahi she has started so it stays around for generations to come."
GPS co-ordinator Juliana Sargeant said Jane had left her with many beautiful memories.
"I’ve worked all over the world as a volunteer, employee and manager. Jane will always be the person that ticked every box, the manager everyone wished they had. She had a way of making you want to work and go the extra mile.
"The ripple effect on our community as time passes will truly show how much of Jane’s life she poured into this community to benefit others. My heart goes out to her family, especially her four children."
Plunket’s Otago and Southland community services manager Catherine Caley said Mrs Denley was a very important part of Plunket in the South Island.
"We worked closely together and I always knew Jane was just at the end of the phone if I wanted to run something past her or we needed to collaborate on something. She was a calm, caring person who treated everyone with respect. The world needs more people like her.
"The loss of Jane is a massive loss for Plunket and the wider community. Jane was genuinely caring and compassionate and had a real passion for supporting families and ensuring their parenting experience was well supported."
South Canterbury Plunket community services co-ordinator Louise Haley said Mrs Denley was someone who made everyone feel special.
"She remembered everything, people, birthdays, work anniversaries, and always asked what was happening in their worlds.
"Most importantly, she was a truly beautiful friend who we will all dearly miss, but we will endeavour to honour her and her legacy.
"We will have a yearly Jane Denley spirit of volunteering award each May which is her birthday month."
Retired Plunket clinical leader Raelene Todd worked with Mrs Denley for more than 20 years and said they had worked closely on many projects.
"Our vision was that by working together the two of us and our teams could create and provide a variety of new innovative services that would provide additional support for our community and whanau.
"Jane was never happier than when she had a new project to get her teeth into."
Mrs Denley was an inspiration for all around her, she said.
"Jane was incredibly thoughtful and kind. She thought about everyone all the time, and not just her team, but everyone around her.
"Jane will be a huge loss for both Plunket and the communities she was responsible for. She was a was a wonderful role model and her knowledge and attributes will be missed.
"She was a very good woman who cared. She has left a legacy and I was lucky to have worked with her. Her family can be very proud."
