Maker: Margy Wanty

Panel number: 473

Petition sheet number: Did not sign 1893 petition

Person honouring: Florence Jean Anderson

Relationship to maker: Mother

Florence Jean Bowis was born on 18 June 1934. She had two brothers, Alan and Leslie. Florence was brought up in Ashburton where she studied home economics and learned to play the piano well. She attended the Stratheona Home Training School in Pleasant Point, then worked as a nurse aid in Dunedin. 

She met Rowland Davie Anderson and they married in 1953. He worked for the New Zealand Railways and they eventually settled in Seadown, near Timaru, where four girls were born. She made her family’s clothes, and preserved fruit and vegetables from their large vegetable garden and orchard. She taught her daughters to knit and sew, cook, bake, and preserve. Family was special to her; she spent time with her daughters and grandchildren and had an open house for all. 

Florence loved reading and had a thirst for knowledge. She researched and self-published histories of both the Bowis and Anderson families. She also took yoga classes, cane-work classes, and supported the local school. Florence was interested in gardening and photography. Her garden was always evolving with her style and ability for colour evident. She and Rowland were a good team – he would build for her projects and she would help in his.

An active member of her local branch of the Labour Party, Florence felt it was important for the worker to be looked after. She used her contacts to help those in strife. She had a great love of life, and a ready smile for anyone.

She died on 13 December 2013.

Panel materials: Plain panel with a design that was hand and machine embroidered. Some thread was given to me by my mother and I chose colours she loved. No materials were purchased.