Ripene Matthews

Te Ao Hou, December 1967, Page 2

Ripene Matthews Mrs Ripene Matthews of Tauranga died in August aged 52. Born in Tauranga, she was the daughter of Kapene Rahiri, the paramount senior elder of the Ngatikahu, a sub-tribe of the Ngati Ranginui. Her mother, Henetie, was a descendant of Ruiha, an Arawa woman who married a Scottish nobleman. Although she did not receive a higher education. Mrs Matthews always recognised the value of learning and strove to make use of every facility in this direction. By much sacrifice and careful plannning she gave her children the very best opportunities, resulting in her adult children occupying positions including university lecturer. State registered nurses and successful business people. Her two youngest girls are still at College. A member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, she devoted more than 25 years of her life to teaching in the church kindergarten and classes of teenage pupils. Always working in the background of her church and public activities, Mrs Matthews was known to a wide circle of friends who were all affected by her love, service, duty, quiet modesty and pride in her work. She is survived by her husband, five sons and five daughters.