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For the North Shore's Mary Panko, a trip to Parnell yesterday was a chance to pay tribute to a larger-than-life hero she had admired since she was a child growing up in Britain.
Mrs Panko signed the book of condolences for Sir Edmund Hillary at the Holy Trinity Cathedral after an appointment at a nearby hairdresser.
"He was an extraordinary man and a good man," she said. "It's more than just him being a hero - he was so modest and so capable. I just think we are very lucky to have had him."
The Rev Jayson Rhodes said a steady stream of people visited the cathedral yesterday to sign its book of condolences.
Mrs Panko said she grew up admiring Sir Edmund and his style.
"His independence, his not just sitting back and being a chorus member in the third row but going out and doing it, epitomises New Zealand, really," she said.
"If a country can produce people like that, it's certainly a place where you would want to live."
She recalled her disbelief on Friday at hearing the mountaineer and philanthropist had passed away.
"We were driving home and I saw the flag at the fire station at half-mast - I couldn't think why it could be.
"You knew it was going to happen but it just didn't seem believable."
