Hundreds farewell Celia Lashlie

Celia Lashlie
Celia Lashlie
Hundreds of people made their way to Old St Paul's Cathedral in Wellington this afternoon to say their final goodbyes to Kiwi author and social commentator Celia Lashlie.

Close to 400 people whose lives had been touched by Ms Lashlie in some way came together to celebrate her accomplished life.

Ms Lashlie died on Monday night after losing her battle with pancreatic cancer. She was 61 years old.

Earlier this week Ms Lashlie's family released a statement explaining that she was hospitalised after Christmas when a scan revealed pancreatic cancer.

They said her passing on Monday night was unexpected, but peaceful.

A photo tribute of Ms Lashlie's life played accompanied by Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen and many wiped away tears while others laughed at happier memories.

Today her daughter Rebekah Henderson shared some of her fondest memories of her mother.

She said while her mother was a heroine, a warrior, and an inspirational lady - she was also just an ordinary person.

Ms Henderson said despite all her mothers work she always made her children "her priority".

"She went too soon and too fast. She didn't get to do the things she needed or wanted to do."

Her son, Gene Hyde, who said he was "blessed" with his mothers love of books, read some of their favourite small passages.

Ms Lashlie's coffin was later carried out of the cathedral to an awaiting white hearse, while Jewel's Life Uncommon played.

Among her pall bearers were her son Gene, and five others.

As Ms Lashlie's coffin approached the hearse, a Karanga was performed, as mourners said some of their very last goodbyes.

Ms Lashlie is best known for her work with the 'Good Man' project that focused on research from discussions with pupils in 25 boys' schools throughout the country.

It formed the basis of her book, He'll Be OK - Growing Gorgeous Boys into Good Men.

She has also written two other books - The Journey to Prison: Who Goes and Why, and The Power of Mothers: Releasing Our Children.

Her advice to mothers of boys became well known, and her work on raising teenage boys as well as on social justice issues saw her in demand for speaking in New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and the United States.

Her family have set up a Givealittle page in her honour, in a hope to continue on with her work. The page has already raised over $9000.

 

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