Maker: Valerie Norton

Panel number: 358

Petition sheet number: 427

Person honouring: Fanny [Eliza] Norton

Relationship to maker: Great-grandmother

Fanny Eliza Norton emigrated from England in 1878 on the sailing ship City of Auckland with her husband, Walter, and their three sons Arthur, Frank, and James. They had already buried two babies in London.

The ship was wrecked on the beach at Otaki. They were rescued by the people of Raukawa marae where they stayed for six weeks before walking to Waikanae so they could sail on to Napier. Their daughter Winnie was born in Napier in 1892. 

Walter died in 1889. Fanny was active and independent, supporting her children and grandchildren until she died, aged 92. She had lived her later years in Mt Eden, Auckland, near her son Frank, but was buried in Napier, with Walter.

Panel materials: Old cream calico and new orange silk thread.