Legacy of selfless giving will live on

CELIA LASHLIE died pretty much how she lived ... she didn't muck around.

The sudden departure of the social justice advocate and author has left a gaping hole in the pantheon of people who know what they are talking about when it comes to adolescent boys, prisoners and struggling families.

Ms Lashlie died of pancreatic cancer on Monday. She only learned she was ill a few months ago and we only learned about it a day before she died. Her words on her last blog post were heart wrenching: "No treatment, no cure, only palliative care. I'd waited too long to look after myself and my body broke."

True that, Ms Lashlie.

Decades of fighting for others, and writing and speaking about the vulnerability of young men may have earned her respect around the world, but little time to look after herself.

Among those works was the Good Man project, which linked 25 boys schools in New Zealand to debate and decipher how to successfully raise young men when the world of teenage boys is alien to many.

Her books and work were not without controversy, including encouraging mums to step back in some situations and dads to play a bigger part in bringing up their sons.

Known for a blunt approach tempered by a fine sense of humour, hers was an uncommon sense of reason and empathy. Armed with a degree in anthropology and Maori, she combined practical experience - including being the first woman prison officer in a male prison - with groundbreaking research.

A Givealittle page set up by her family and friends to continue her work has raised more than $8800 since her death. Hopefully her big heart will go on.