Funeral held for motorway couple

The funeral for Ewen Donaldson and his wife Dulce. Photo / Jason Dorday

A woman who shared a birthday with her uncle had the sad task of farewelling him and her aunty at their funeral in Tuakau yesterday.

St Andrew's Catholic Church in Tuakau was full for the funerals of Ewen Charles Donaldson, 87, and his wife Dulce Maria, aged in her 60s.

Donaldson drove on to the wrong Northwestern Motorway lane from Te Atatu, colliding with ongoing vehicles in one of the one worst smashes seen by police.

Police are investigating why he took the wrong route on to the motorway.

The couple's niece, Carmela Almendralejo, spoke highly of her aunt and uncle.

"Uncle Ewen treated me as his very own daughter. Uncle loved hunting, gardening, his flowers, his trees and he loved his home here in Tuakau.

"Thank you for all your love of my Auntie Dulce and your love and sacrifice for me.

"Auntie Dulce is my dear friend and confidant and mother in New Zealand. She was always the joy of the party.

"Her faith was very important to her - she never missed church."

Franklin community choir chairwoman Jean Holden said Dulce would be remembered with affection.

Donaldson's stepdaughter Heather Christini wrote an email that was read out, in which she said he was "ever so strict" but taught her a lot. Christini was three when Donaldson married her mother and she regarded him as a father.

She said he was a dog lover and a wonderful dancer.

Buckland Dancing Club member Noes Butts said the couple was well-known within dancing circles and half the congregation knew the couple through dancing.

"That's how we remember them. As a couple who loved dancing. Ewen, he was the rock. He supported her and gave her the opportunity to get to the dances.

"They loved music and what they enjoyed they showed their appreciation.

"Her spirit, her whole being, is very much alive, along with Ewen."