Maria Emilia Clarke

Mum, so beautiful inside and out – the kindest Mother that a Daughter could wish for and a remarkable woman who will always inspire me.  She has ensured my life has been full of excitement and she taught me to work hard.

Mum worked so ferociously all her life – an amazing journey coming from remote Rotuma Island to Fiji, then to New Zealand and going on to being a very successful Hotelier in Devon UK.  She travelled back and forward to NZ from England most years to be with her children, she didn’t see age as an impediment to catching up with her children across vast oceans.

She met my Father Lynn Senior when his NZAF Seaplane landed on the water in Fiji and he walked out in his Airforce uniform, he must have looked stunning to a young island girl – what a romantic story ! Later in life she found love again and had so many travel adventures with her husband Leo Clarke.

I have been so fortunate to have spent the last few years, every day living together with her and my Kim, we have been the A-TEAM with much laughter, fishing adventures, shopping trips, Happy Hours and enjoying Christmas 365 days a year.

Mum and I often went to the Boat Ramp, where she would tell me that when she passes away she wants to be put in the Sea so she can have  picnics with her beloved son, David, on Frenchmans Cap Island and Leo will be swimming to New Zealand from Thurlestone, England to meet her and they will all swim with the dolphins and continue their adventures around the world.

Mum and I been each others Guardian Angels whilst on Earth and this will continue now she is in Heaven. We have both looked and cared for each other over the years sometimes from different countries but distance wasn’t an obstacle.. She will live in my heart forever.

Love you Mum xxx  Michelle