The family and friends of Gaelene Joy Bright - a grandmother from a small Northland town - are taking time to remember her adventurous spirit today, two years after her death.
Gaelene was shot dead by her partner Raymond Charles Phillimore. Her remains were found in Waipoua Forest more than two weeks after she went missing. He later admitted her murder and was jailed for life, with a minimum period of 13 years.
But her family and friends said she was so much more than her death, and they are taking the time to remember her bright, joyous personality, which matched her surname to a tee.
“She was a lover of life, she had such an adventurous spirit and a generous, loving nature; always making the most of her days doing the things she loved or to make others feel loved,” said daughter Luella Bright on behalf of the family.
Gaelene lived in Hokianga, first in Kohukohu where she was a hairdresser [and confidante to many], volunteer firefighter and artist who also volunteered with the local art gallery.