Christchurch Branch Honorary Patron, Diana Madgin and widow of late Emeritus Professor Bill Willmott (who was national president of our society for many years), sadly passed away in Christchurch on 13 August.
Di was Christchurch Branch President for three years, and also served for several years on the National Executive. She had a larger than life personality, as everyone who ever knew her would know, which meant she always left her mark on everything she was involved in. Her involvement in all society activities always was truly a tour de force. You always knew when Di was in the room!
Along with Bill, she had a huge passion for China and led family and garden tours there on behalf of our society.
Di designed the Chinese Garden at Amberley (where Rewi Alley spent his boyhood years), North Canterbury, which was officially opened on 2 December 2017 by the Governor-General, Her Excellency The Right Honourable Dame Patsy Reddy. The garden cemented the sister district relationship forged between the Hubei, Changping and Hurunui Districts and acted as a dual celebration of the work and legacy of the late Rewi Alley on the 120th Anniversary of his life. She also had a role in the design and construction of the Lan Yuan Chinese Garden in Dunedin, which is recognised as a six-star Garden of International Significance.
Immediate Past National President Dave Bromwich has said: “>It was a shock to learn… of Di’s death. I met her firstly through her husband Bill, then as an executive member of NZCFS when I was president.
She came across as a most warm and sincere person, with a deep sense of compassion. Her energy inspired confidence in the activities that were close to her heart: her chairmanship of the Kathleen Hall committee, her passion for gardens, her devotion and support for Bill…
She was simply a lovely person and will never be forgotten”.
It would be fair to say Di and Bill were a couple of national significance within our society for many years, and her passing brings to a close a very eventful and rich period in its history.
Her passion for gardening was reflected in the many years she wrote regular articles for the gardening page of the local Christchurch newspaper, and this, combined with her deep knowledge of Chinese garden design meant she was well known and highly respected by the gardening community in the city.
She is survived by her daughters Katherine and Sarah and grandson Jack, to whom we tender our profound condolences on the passing of a remarkable woman.
