As hospital chaplain in Dannevirke, life was often emotional for Dannevirke's Anne Dargaville-Lee, but it was her emotionally charged 80th birthday recently which had the tears flowing as friends and family came together at the Mangatera Hotel for a special party.
This was an occasion which a day before was cancelled as Anne was laid up in Palmerston North Hospital.
But despite suffering from ill health, she was determined to get home for the celebrations.
And making the party so special was the line-up of four generations of her family alongside her at the birthday lunch, where she was joined by daughter Karen Phelps, granddaughter Emily Harold and great-granddaughter Lilly Harold, 4.
Son-in-law Kim Phelps reminded wellwishers of Anne's heartfelt contribution as hospital chaplain and her chaplaincy at Eileen Mary Age Care and as a Methodist minister officiating at funerals and weddings.