Sisters reminisce on return to Dannevirke for unveiling of parents' headstone

The four Thom sisters, (from left) Mary Elizabeth (Greenbank), Heather (Holmes), Diana (Kelly) and Jennifer Thom, tend their parents' grave. Photo / Dannevirke News

A chance encounter with long-time friends Rhetta and Maurice Millar created a reunion of sorts for four Thom sisters who grew up in Dannevirke in the 1950s-60s.

The women are the daughters of Gilbert and Mary Thom. Gilbert was Dannevirke Borough Council town clerk from 1946-1963.

In his years in the job Gilbert played a major role in the activities of the council and town, meeting the Queen in 1953 and organising Dannevirke's 75th Jubilee. He wrote the history of the Dannevirke Borough Council.

Mary was heavily involved in the Dannevirke Dramatic Society and from that the daughters developed a deep passion for theatre, each attending Miss Irvine's Dance School and were "forever on the stage in the town hall and elsewhere", according to Heather.

This included dance recitals such as The Nutcracker in which Maurice Millar was MC, Queen Carnivals, A&P Show concerts and garden parties.

They took part in school productions at North School and the Gilbert and Sullivan Operas put on by Dannevirke High School and in their words "thoroughly enjoyed growing up in Dannevirke". All became teachers.

The sisters were in Dannevirke on April 26 for the unveiling of their parents' new headstone, as well as to honour what would have been their father's 105th birthday on April 27.

Jennifer had travelled the furthest, from British Columbia in Canada, Heather from Auckland, and Mary Elizabeth and Diana from Wanganui.

They touched base with old friends and said they looked forward to returning.