Pupils, family farewell slain teacher

Lois Dear's granddaughter, Renee, who wrote a touching tribute. Picture / Jess Husband

A poem by the granddaughter of murdered schoolteacher Lois Dear was the most poignant eulogy delivered at her funeral in Thames yesterday.

"Nana Lolo is a star in the sky with all the other stars. I saw a shooting star last weekend. That was Nana Lolo saying goodbye," wrote Renee, 6, in a poem read by her mother, Jan Armstrong, to the more than 600 friends, family and students at the emotional farewell.

"It was a long drive to Nana Lolo's place. She let me play in her garden. She was going to knit me a feather scarf but she can't do that now. I used to read to Nana Lolo. She liked it when I read to her. She told me I was a good reader," wrote Renee.

Police continued the hunt for Lois Dear's killer by following up a sighting of a person driving a car believed to be hers on the day of her death.

A witness gave a good description of a man driving up and down the road where the blue Toyota Corolla hatchback was found, said inquiry head Detective Inspector Garth Bryan. He hoped more people would report sightings today.

Appeals for help to catch the killer were made by mourners at Lois Dear's funeral yesterday, but the focus was on paying a final tribute to the much-loved grandmother, friend and teacher.

Dear's son Kevin McNeil told the Herald on Sunday the service was the best way to remember the teacher who loved children so much she refused to retire.

"It's just as she would have liked it - a beautiful day. She wouldn't have wanted it any other way, with all her family and friends and especially all the little children," he said.

The Thames War Memorial Civic Centre was packed to capacity as mourners spilled outside the hall. About 150 people caught buses from Tokoroa to say goodbye to their colleague and teacher.

Five-year-old Tatiana Glassie-Morgan, who was in Lois' class this year, fondly recalled the fun she had with her teacher. "I liked the fantail pictures," she said, referring to a display Lois put up last term that will be a memorial for her.

"We sang and danced. I was a pipi in a play. She told me I was a good girl and put stickers in my book."

Parents also spoke of a wonderful teacher who loved to use music and dance to teach the children. Natalie Tereu, whose two sons Nicholas, 5, and Jacob, 8, were taught by Lois, said she was a great teacher. "They came home every day with a new song or dance. But Jacob's always asking when is she coming back," said Natalie.

"She was lots and lots of fun," said Jacob. "I really loved the music."

The service was difficult for many. Lois Dear's brother Colin was supposed to speak but was overcome with grief. It was his birthday yesterday.

The day was especially hard for Lois' father, 95-year-old Harley Dear, who has dementia. The two were very close. Lois made sure she visited him every day. McNeil said: "It's been a huge week. It's been tiring and hard to get just two or three hours' sleep."

At the funeral, friends and family appealed for help to catch the killer.

Jared McNeil, Kevin's son, only just made the funeral after flights from his Queenstown home were cancelled. He tried to speak at the service but burst into tears and was unable to carry on.

"It was a struggle but I wouldn't have missed this for anything in the world. I'm just so glad she was able to make it to my 21st in November. She met all my friends and had a lot of fun. It was great to see her like that."

The eight speakers painted a picture of Lois as a teacher whose love for the job was second only to her love for her family. Murray Kendrick, principal of Strathmore Primary, said Lois often came to work as early as 5am and would return in the evenings to prepare for the next day's lesson.

"She was always terrified of not being prepared," Kendrick told the service. "But she loved doing her job and she loved working with children."

Most of the speeches avoided mention of her tragic end, concentrating on Lois' contribution to the people she met. But her great-niece, Vanessa Skipper appealed for anyone with information to hand it to the police.

"We hope the persons responsible for Aunty Lois' death are caught quickly and justice is done," she said.

Her brother Harley told the Herald on Sunday it was right that the service concentrated on Lois. "It's great to see so many people here who care about her and that's what is important.

"She's going to be with God now."