KEY POINTS:
George Lowe, who was with Sir Edmund Hillary on the Everest expedition 55 years ago, was able to say one last goodbye four weeks ago.
Mr Lowe, who turns 84 on Tuesday, visited Sir Edmund at his home in Remuera during what will be possibly the last his annual visits to New Zealand from his home in Derbyshire, England.
He also has a home at Diamond Harbour, near Christchurch, where he and his wife, Mary, spend three months each year.
Mrs Lowe said Sir Edmund appeared in generally good health for his age, despite having been out of hospital for only one day after being treated for a leg infection.
But she said: "I think both of them knew this was their chance to say au revoir."
The Lowes received news of Sir Edmund's death late yesterdaymorning.
Their presence in New Zealand will make it possible for them to attend the funeral in Auckland.
Also attending will be with at least one other Everest expedition member, Alf Gregory, who is now 93 and living in Melbourne.
It was not known last night whether the other surviving expedition members - Mike Westmacott and the youngest member, George Band, now 76 - would be able to come to New Zealand for the funeral.
