Maker: Gillian Robbins

Panel number: 43

Petition Sheet Number: 34 

Person honouring: Janet Parker 

Relationship to makers: Great-grandmother 

Janet Parker was born in Scotland in 1864. She came to New Zealand from Hobkirk, in the Borders area, aboard the steamer Florida, which disembarked at Port Chalmers in March 1884. 

Janet’s occupation was a housemaid. She married Benjamin Parker JP who was a widower in Owaka, Clutha District in October 1892. They settled in Stirling, Southland and had six children - George, Walter (my much adored Grandad), Annie, Alfred, Robert, and Jane. 

Janet died in June 1943 and is buried with Benjamin at the Edendale cemetery. 

Panel materials: Old sheet/pillowcase cut down over the years. The embroidery at the bottom was stitched by Walters wife (my Nana) Gertrude. I ended up with it when cleaning my dear Mums home out, not wanting to part with it until this amazing project came along and felt it fitting to use it. My embroidery was done with DMC cottons.