Mrs Dorothy Weststr ate

Press, 4 May 1988, Page 13

Mrs Dorothy Weststr ate

Mrs Dorothy Beatrice Weststrate, who was active in community affairs for many years in Christchurch, has died. She was 85. Mrs Weststrate was born in Coventry, England, but moved to the Netherlands in 1926 after she married a lawyer in Utrecht. He was later appointed professor of economics at the University of Leyden. Dr and Mrs Weststrate were in the Netherlands during the time of German occupation from 1940 to 1945, and sheltered Jewish children in their home during that time to protect them from being sent to Germany. The couple emigrated to New Zealand in 1950 with their family. Dr

Weststrate took up an appointment to the chair of economics at Canterbury University College. Mrs Weststrate became involved in the welfare of the English, Dutch and Hungarian settlers, assisting them with housing, education and employment problems. She also organised a Dutch exhibition typifying the background of the new settlers, and an Indonesian exhibition at the Durham Street Art Gallery. She was one of the founding members and secretary of the Christchurch Parents’ Centre. She supported parents preparing for natural childbirth, with weekly classes at her home. Mrs Weststrate was a

founding member of the University Wives’ Club and was president of the Book Club. She was also a member of the Victoria League for many years and its Christchurch president for three years. She was also chairwoman of the Combined Commonwealth Societies in Christchurch. Her involvement in the Pan Pacific South-East Asia Women’s Association dated back to the early 19505. She was editor of its national journal, and then of its international bulletin from 1968 to 1984, during which time she was also a member of the international executive. Mrs Weststrate is survived by a daughter and a son.