My Mum Joan Fergusson has written something on belhalf of our family but I wanted to add a memory. One of my fondest memories was the time that my sister Helen and I had a holiday at Aunt Bess's. Our favourite spot was out on her porch screen by the car shed and eating from the manderine tree. She was working in a charity shop at the time and we would visit and I still remember the green bag I bought from her at the shop. She was such a wonderful giving person but her driving was scarry....I don't ever remember her getting out of 2nd gear. She will always have a special spot in my heart as I am sure she has in many others. Love your always. Keryn Webster, nee Fergusson

We will always remember Bess as a rough Diamond, very caring and selfless woman in our Methodist Church parish. She was particularly helpful during a period of our lives when Mum was very unwell and our youngest, Christopher, just a wee tot. Bess had a soft spot for him and called in often to see how things were going. She never missed sending Mum and Dad a Christmas card long after they had moved to the Far North. RIP Bess, arohanui, from the Maskell family.

Below is an incomplete list of the people that attended Bess's funeral. There were about 55 attendees. I apologise to those who's names I missed Alex Robinson (Chaplin) Peter & Annette Petersen Ron & Alison O'Grady Glennys Longstaff Ken Longstaff Kristel Longstaff Trinity Longstaff Scott Longstaff Jack Longstaff Hilda & Jack Rennie Gillian & Warwick Jones Gilbert Dutton Joseph Chrisp Pat & Bryan Heron Jennifer Turner & Peter Beekmans Ray Bull Pat & Wisa Schweiters Annette & Bill Chessman Joan Ferguson Margaret Zeigler Naomi Lange Laney Turner Lewis & Barbara Frank Ann Milne Robert & Barbara Powell Lee Fowler Dulcie P Nadine & Jacinda Rennie Phillis Ormond Caroline

Dennis & Ann Owens, Sydney<br /> Valerie & Richard Deighton, UK<br /> Joan Bone (nee Petersen), Queensland<br /> Eric & Hazel Bush, Sydney<br /> Peter & Fiona Lawrence, Auckland<br /> Vanessa Lawrence, Auckland<br /> Tineke & Jason Harris, Tairua<br /> Michael O'Grady, Christchurch<br /> Sami & Kirk Golden, USA<br /> Michelle Clausen & Family, NSW<br /> Diane Dalton, Sydney<br /> Hilda & Jack Rennie & family Auckland<br /> Sandra Karol & Family , Sydney<br /> Helen Fergusson, Brett Hartley & Diane Fergusson, Christchurch Jen & Pete (Auckland) Glenys, Mark,Rachel,Scott Nicki & Families

She always remembered my birthday even though I was always rubbish at remembering hers. She always welcomed me into her home even though I didn't visit that often. She never ceased to make me laugh or inspire me by her compassion, her love of life and her just get on with it attitude. Basically she rocked and I will miss her Emily Lange

Bess was my mother – what do you say about a mother? She prepared 25,000 meals for me, washed 100,000 items of clothing and packed me off to school university 3000 times without complaining. I guess most mothers would say that comes with the territory. Bess was also a product of the depression and World War II. That meant she was into recycling before we created the word. That meant that nothing was ever wasted – she simply would not understand the proportion (as high as 25% reported in our newspapers) of good food that our current generation throws away. That meant that she was a feminist. Not a radical pontificating feminist who said that women could do whatever men did but a practical feminist who demonstrated that she could do all of the “Women’s work” and almost all of the “Men’s Work” too. It was this part of her that made me believe that men and women are equal but fortunately different. I almost feel we should have Helen Reddy singing “I am Woman” The line I am strong, I am Invincible, I am Woman.... seems appropriate. Both of my parents gave me a strong sense of right and wrong. An internal perhaps overactive conscience In Hamlet, Polonius tells his son Laertes "This above all: to thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, Thou cans't not be false to any man” I have lived by these beliefs which override what the law tells you it is OK to do. I hope that this is the legacy Annette and I have passed on to our children. She was a kind and gentle person who took much pleasure in remembering birthdays and often giving small presents to the people around her. She was my mother.

Best times for me were at her house at papatoetoe with a bowl full of lollies in the lounge (which was empty by the second day) and a garage full of things to play with. At the back of the section were fresh peas growing which had to be eaten to balance out the lollies. One thing I was glad i wasn't told. Karen and I went over to NZ by ourselves and grandma picked us up in her car. She drove us home to her house. Later we found out she shouldn't have been driving because she was starting to go blind back then. (I just thought it was normal NZ driving) The last time I visited with my family (Jane and Emily) I was so surprised how independent she was, making tea and coffee and memorising where to go even with her sight so bad. I will always be very impressed by that! Love you always Christian, Jane, Emily

Anne and I were sorry to hear about the passing of Bess. I rember Bess as avery caring person,having stayed with her once or twice we have fond memories of her careing and hospitality towards other people. We offer our sympathy and condolences to you all. We will be thinking of you all. Love Ian and Anne Fergusson

Bess the eldest grandchild and Bruce the youngest grandchild of August and Florence Frank Bess was such a generous person. When our children were small we had holidays in Auckland with her and it was eagerly looked forward to. Bess thoroughly spoiled them and it is something they have never forgotten and always remembered her birthday and Christmas. Bess did come down to Taranaki and stay with us a few times and we tried repay her kindness. We did visit her when in Auckland and remember her in her unit at Elmwood Village and the shop opposite where she purchased so much food and we were only there for morning tea. Even when Bess moved into the rest home she still managed to make us a cuppa and of course food. To all of us she was "Aunt Bess"and we will miss her. Bruce,Joan, David, Keryn, Helen & Diane Fergusson.

Across the ocean, it seemed so far To a little girl, to visit my Grandma. A new adventure, every time a treat The distance smaller, every time we meet. Your garden alive with treasures and trees We picked apples, marrows, plums and peas. Playing in the shed, afternoons on the swinging chair Nosing through nostalgia, searching stories to share. Edmonds Cookery Book, your gift I adore Sitting proudly in our kitchen, forever more. Though we were far in miles Every special occasion had many smiles. You may not have known how often you are in my thoughts Thank you Grandma, for enriching my life in many ways All my love, now and forever Karen

NZ Herald and SMH Aug 12 2010 PETERSEN, Bessie Hilda (nee Longstaff). Passed away on August 10, 2010, aged 99 years, at Elmwood Village. Beloved wife of the late Harold. Much loved Mum of Peter and Annette. Grandma of Karen and Peter, Christian and Jane, and great-grandma of Emily and Lara (Australia). Loved sister of Ron and Alison O'Grady and the late George Longstaff. Dearly loved aunt of Hilda and Jack Rennie, Michael O'Grady, Ruth O'Grady, Gillian and Warwick Jones and Glenys Longstaff and their families. PETERSEN Bessie Hilda (nee Longstaff). 10 August 2010 aged 99 at Elmwood Village. Much loved auntie of Hilda and Jack Rennie, and loved greataunt to Donna and John Engu, and Gary and Nerida Way, and families, Jared, Darlayna, Jedrek, Joshua and Kristyn. A lovely lady, we will miss you. Rest in peace, love Hilda. PETERSEN Bess. Dearly loved aunty and greataunty of Glenys, Mark, Scott and families. Rest in Peace.

We have had a long association with Mrs Petersen. Keith has known her ever since schooldays with Peter and we often used to ‘hang out’ at Petersens’ Place. Robyn really appreciated boarding with Bess for some months in 1968. I enjoyed working with her at the shop on Friday nights and learnt – among other things - how to cut keys, operate a till and cut the tops of newspapers and magazines – which I then got to take home and read!! I also had the privilege of her sharing stories about her husband and Peter as a young child and life in general. We have exchange Christmas cards every year since then—42 in all! We always looked forward to her card and were amazed that even last year, knowing how bad her sight was that she still managed to write her own card. Amazing! Arohanui Bess Keith and Robyn Lassey

So warm, so caring, so knowledgeable. The conversations we had were great. So easy it is to pick up a phone and talk to one another, but now it can no longer happen. Fly free, great lady you were the best. Great supporter of our music and always interested in what we were doing.<br /> <br /> Neil and Val We played two of Neil and Val's CD at the Funeral.