Maker: Clare Davenport

Panel number: 485

Petition sheet number: Did not sign 1893 petition

Person honouring: Honora Connors Dolan

Relationship to maker: Nana

Honora Connors Dolan (Nonie) was born to Irish immigrant parents in the Ardgowan, Oamaru area. She lived most of her life in and around Oamaru. 

Born in 1889, just before the vote was achieved for New Zealand women, she was a lifelong voter. Nonie married late and had one child, my father Patrick. In my mind Nana always wears blue, although I am sure this cannot have been always but it felt important to have blue silk as the background for her panel. 

Pre-marriage she worked in a local tea shop so I have included a tea cup in the panel. I was given a photograph of her on her wedding day (used in the panel) and was astonished to see that my wedding dress of 1987 was very similar in style to her wedding dress of 1931. I have included a handmade flower from the satin of my wedding dress to honour this happy coincidence.

My memories of Nana are of a small, self-assured, church-going woman who was certain and proud of her role as Nana, mother, wife, and community member. Her best room had lacework doilies decorating the furniture, so I have placed an example of these beneath her photograph. As a very small child, being allowed to play with the contents of her button tin – matching colours, sizes, and designs – was a special treat.

Nonie died in 1975, aged 86 years.

Panel materials: background: new blue silk, Cream carnation: fashioned from a remnant of my wedding dress, Buttons: from old button tin, Doilies: old, positioned behind photo of Honora in her wedding dress, Embroidered Tea cup to honour her many years of pre marriage employment in the local tea rooms in Oamaru. Added two old linen fabric flowers from my remnants collection.