The 91-year-old is angry and upset after visiting her husband’s resting place at Avonhead Memorial Cemetery to find it overgrown with grass and weeds.
The cemetery is also where the remains of unidentified victims from the CTV building collapse are buried.
It used to be called Avonhead Park Cemetery until, somewhat controversially, it was renamed.
“My daughter and I visited on Saturday,” said Coster.
“It was the 12th anniversary of Aubrey’s death.
“We were shocked and disappointed to see the state of the place, with grass and weeds above our ankles,” she said.
“I have complained before as I visit quite frequently. This time it was the worst,” she said.
Coster’s daughter Christine Coster was with her on Saturday and said she was shocked and angry to see the state of the place.
“It’s like a kick in the guts,” she said.
“It’s unbelievable, weeds and grass all over the stones.
“My father was ill through the time of the earthquakes.
“He fought in World War 2 in the Pacific, she said.
“Like the earthquake victims, he, and all those buried there, deserve more respect, said Coster.
“I told mum if the council does nothing I’ll carry a lawnmower in and mow around Dad’s grave myself, just like other families have done,” she said.
Christchurch City Council confirmed it has received six complaints about the state of the cemetery over the past year, with two received on Monday.
The city council said the last time the cemetery was mowed was Friday, March 3.
Community parks manager Al Hardy said it was scheduled to be mowed again on Monday but because of heavy rain it was rescheduled to avoid damaging the ground.
Increased rainfall followed by hot temperatures over recent weeks has contributed to an autumn “flush” of growth that is unavoidable, he said.
“At this time of year the cemetery is on a 10 day rotation for mowing and, except for Monday, that rotation has been followed,” said Hardy.
-By Tony Simons
