She said her father was buried at the cemetery and she never understood the argument that open gates used to lead to vandalism at the cemetery before they were closed.
"I never saw any vandalism."
"It always looked safe, clean and lovely."
According to Mrs van Gerven, the cemetery looks "dark and dingy" with the entrance closed off.
Another supporter, Richard Dahlberg, said he was "delighted" with the decision.
"It's been a long battle. I almost gave up a while back."
He said the project started to gain momentum after a petition was signed.
"The cavalry started to arrive."
"People that have loved ones buried there care but I guess people that haven't don't give two hoots."
In a letter to the Times-Age, Mr Dahlberg thanked his supporters and even those who attacked him.
"You helped keep the issue alive."
He thanked the Times-Age "who on occasions took me and others to task, allowed the debate to continue".
On the mayor's "chequebook democracy" comment, he said thought should be given to the thousands donated to council projects over the year by locals.
Kevin Fearon, who told the council he would pay for the entrance alterations, said Ms Patterson's comments that the decision to open the gates was "chequebook democracy" were "unfair and not really on".
"It's insulting for supporters and underhanded."
Mr Fearon has a son buried at the cemetery. He first got involved with the project to help elderly people who would ring him up wondering why there was no car access into the cemetery via Archer St.
He said the decision had been a long time coming.
