Friends and colleagues of a woman who in her dying months touched many with her caring, uncomplaining and non-judgmental manner will celebrate her life on Saturday. Sita van Obereek Newman died last Sunday afternoon from an aggressive form of cancer.
Ms Newman had been seriously ill for several months with the illness she had carried for a few years, but her death still came as a surprise to those closest to her.
Kaari Schlebach said Ms Newman had shielded others from the emotional and physical pain she was suffering, remaining "bubbly, strong and loving until the end".
Ms Newman, 37, was the subject of an Advocate article in August in which she spoke about her early decision for non-interventionist medical treatment for her terminal condition. Seriously ill even then, she said she had come to appreciate this "strange and often frightening stage in my life. It's been a time of soul searching and counting my blessings; now it's nice to be able to let go."
In August her South African father, Steve Newman, his wife Jean and their son Jivan travelled to Whangarei to see her for the last time. Mr Newman, an acclaimed musician, performed a sell-out tribute concert to his daughter in Whangarei, playing music that was part of her heritage. Because she believed death is not the entire end - "the soul is eternal" - the concert was called Hasta la Vista, "until we meet again".