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10 September 1923 to 21 October 2024
The Hibiscus Coast lost one of its champions with the passing of Margaret Christie, late of Ōrewa, on October 21. For nearly 70 years, Margaret contributed to life on the Coast in many diverse ways, from her involvement with Centrestage Theatre to St Chad’s Church, Plunket and, particularly, Hato Hone St John. She served the Hibiscus Coast St John for 31 years and was awarded a Service Medal in 1995 and admitted to the Order of St John by Queen Elizabeth II. At the time of her death, aged 101 years, she was the organisation’s oldest Order Member in New Zealand and one of four generations of her family in St John. In a tribute to Margaret’s contribution, St John Chancellor John Whitehead conveyed his gratitude for her “service and selfless dedication and commitment to the Hibiscus Coast community”.
Born in Auckland, Margaret grew up in Warkworth where her father George Robertson was the sole charge police officer. His territory stretched from the southern bridge in Ōrewa to Warkworth, an area which he policed on horseback. As one of seven children including five brothers, it was a noisy and boisterous household, where tennis and football were regularly played in the long hallway.
After finishing school, Margaret went to work in McDowall’s, the local drapery store. While New Zealand servicemen were overseas fighting in World War II, Warkworth was over-run with 10,000 American soldiers on R&R. Many great stories were told around her kitchen table about these times and she particularly remembered the novelty of being given ice cream in the middle of winter, as it was normally just a summer treat.
When Margaret’s father died in 1949, her mother moved to a holiday home they had owned in Ōrewa, opposite the camp ground. Margaret worked in a cake shop in Auckland and it was during this time she met Max Christie, also from Warkworth. The couple were married in the Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Silverdale in 1953 and set up house in Riverside Road. This was where Max based his electrical business, at the front of the property, which is now a flower shop.
As a young mother, Margaret was a member of Plunket and the St Chads Mothers Union. She was actively involved in church life and even at 99, was still helping at the Op Shop, sorting and pricing items. Around 1950, when St Chads services were held in the old Ōrewa Hall, Margaret was instrumental in helping to fundraise for the first church built in 1953 and recently demolished to make way for a new building. One of her events was the much-anticipated annual Church Ball. She was also sexton for the church cemetery in Silverdale, a position she inherited from Max, and which has now passed to her daughter Barbara.
Margaret worked at the IGA in Ōrewa for many years before joining Max in the family electrical business, which by then had relocated to the main road in Ōrewa. She was also the volunteer booking officer for the Ōrewa Hall and Centrestage Theatre during these years. Originally called the United Players, her contribution to Centrestage was enormous, from catering for dinner shows to ushering and prop making, and she has been the company’s patron for the past 20 years.
Margaret’s tireless and outstanding work in the community was recognised with a Community Service Award in 1992, presented by Rodney District Council. In 2010 she was awarded a New Zealander of the Year – Local Hero Award for her services to the theatre and in 2000, she received the Queens Service Medal, travelling to Wellington with her family to be invested by the then Governor General, Sir Michael Hardie-Boyes.
Daughter Barbara Everiss remembers how supportive her mother had been when she set-up her florist business, still helping out until the business was sold six years ago. “Mum always loved flowers and although she wasn’t a trained florist, she could create the most amazing bouquets for people. She assisted me a great deal in my business and it took a lot of the pressure off me – I couldn’t have done it without her.”
Margaret adored her grandchildren and great grandchildren, with Great Grandma’s treat box a special favourite. She passed away peacefully at Maygrove Village surrounded by family.
