Ngawi mourns beloved resident

The coastal village of Ngawi is in mourning after the tragic death of superfit grandmother and renowned beachcomber Shirley Hayes.
Mrs Hayes, 74, died on Wednesday when her car crashed into the Pararaki Bridge between Whatarangi and Ngawi while on her way home, and at a time when she was on the brink of taking over as president of the Tauherenikau Probus Club.
She had been at a Probus committee meeting earlier that day in good spirits and sharing a laugh with committee members and later briefly caught up with her longtime friend Effie Linton in Carterton.
Mrs Linton who lived at Ngawi for years before moving to Carterton said she saw her friend looking in a jewellery shop window.
"I was in a bit of a hurry but I stopped and said Shirley, what are you doing here?
"As it happened she was admiring some earrings, and at least I did get a chance to have a last few words with her."
The two women had enjoyed a day out earlier this month at a vineyard where Shakespeare's Henry V was featured.
Mrs Linton said she had first met Shirley Hayes at a party held at the Woolshed, Ngawi, and the two had been close friends for 30 years. They shared a love of tramping and coastal walks and had at one time walked in stages from Eastbourne to Porangahau.
The pair took overnight trips to Wellington and Taupo and holidayed together in Coromandel.
"We even played tennis together at Wimbledon, the Wimbledon in Hawke's Bay that is.
"Shirley loved walking, reading true stories and collecting agar seaweed or driftwood. She was a real beachcomber."
Mrs Hayes had been a widow for many years after the premature death of her husband Ralph but had chosen to remain in Ngawi "until I find a better place.
"She never did find a better place."
Mrs Hayes' family was yesterday trying to come to grips with the death of a woman they loved and adored.
Daughter Lesley De Menech, of Greytown, said her mother had been looking forward to taking over the presidency of Probus, having been a very active member of the club.
"She was a wonderful mother and grandmother, the best in the world.
"Her family was very important in fact everything to her."
Mrs De Menech, her husband Reece and their three children Joshua, Jessica and Alice were in awe of Mrs Hayes' fitness.
Jessica said her grandmother used to walk at least 5km every day and took a great interest in their schooling.
"She used to come on field trips with the kids and none of us could keep up with her."
Mrs Hayes was a grandmother to five as her son Ian and daughter-in-law Robyn have two son's Daniel and Karl.
A funeral service for Mrs Hayes will be held in Greytown tomorrow.