My words to Lyn, read out by Lyn's brother Phil at her funeral. My thoughts are constantly with all the family. Dear Lyn, I miss you very much. You have left a huge void in my life that I will try to fill over time. The Trustees of Minniesdale Chapel and Cemetery will miss your record keeping and active support in getting things done when they needed to be done. You and I shared cleaning duties at Minniesdale Chapel made easier with the purchase of a vacuum cleaner, followed by lunch at your home afterwards. We spent a lot of time playing scrabble, both at my home and at yours. Many is the time we got into a third game over a glass or two of wine while Peter waited patiently for me to return home for dinner. I didn’t win many games, but I sure tried hard. As for having tiles that were all vowels, well we did despair of that. Thank you so much for your hospitality that was there for all your family, friends, and anyone else who wanted to visit. The Wellsford Genealogy Group enjoyed a lovely day at Marsh Homestead with lunch and an historical talk from yourself. What will all those volunteers at the museum do without your recall as to what happened in the past, where something was filed, or which photo would suit the calendar. You retained so much information in your head, which I could never fathom, as my head has stored only a fraction that yours did. You held us all together and will always be in the heart and minds of all you knew and associated with, and it is hard to think you have gone so soon and so suddenly. Hopefully, with spell and punctuation check (i.e., apostrophes), I am sure that I have prepared this with your approval. Rest in peace Lyn Your friend Barb

A poem read by Phil Johnston at Lyn's committal. Those we love don't go away' They walk beside us every day. Unseen, unheard, but always near, Still loved, still missed and very dear.

I took this photo the week before lockdown and thought you might like a copy. I was devastated to hear of Lyn's passing on so many levels but just wanted to share with you my sense of loss as a researcher. Many years ago, I started to think about doing some sort of local research. Lyn was my inspiration for this. The photos, the archives, her depth of knowledge, the stories that she had to tell and most of all, her great company. This year, I managed to enroll in my PhD and met with Lyn a couple of times in August. I came away with photocopies of old maps, letters, photos, and journals. Then we went into lockdown. If I manage to finish doing what I am doing, Lyn will be fully acknowledged as her legacy will be foundational. As you already know, your mother was an extraordinary person and I send my deepest condolences for your loss xx

Hi Christy, My name is Jill Jackson. I haven't met you , but I know Lyn, we brought a few friends over to Lyn's place at her new years party in January. We are neighbours, as we live on Shegadeen road, down from the Chapel. Phil was there at the party playing guitar with our friends Annie and Jeff, he might remember. As well as being a party person, which we loved, Lyn was the secretary of the Minniesdale Chapel, and I am also a trustee. That is where I met her, but soon realized that she was part of the glue holding quite a lot of community organizations together. She helped occupy and teach the kids from Tapora school when I brought them to the Museum, and her extensive knowledge of her family history and that of the area, was extraordinary. Thank you for keeping us all informed of the arrangements for Lyn's farewell. We will be there on Friday in a vehicle to honour Lyn at a distance, and would love to be part of any subsequent get-together. Finally, please accept our sincerest sympathy for losing your wonderful mother, she will be long remembered with respect and affection. Please pass our condolences to Phil and the rest of the family. Kind regards Jill and Steve Jackson

Dear Christie, On behalf of the Minniesdale Chapel and Cemetery, I would like to offer our sincere condolences. Lyn was hugely valued and respected as a trustee and will be greatly missed for her cheerful, efficient, no-nonsense approach to her role as secretary. The loss to our community goes far beyond this though, as Lyn was involved in all sorts of ways and was a dear friend to many of us. Her unexpected passing has left us shocked and saddened and our thoughts are with you at this difficult time. Kindest Regards Tony Hayward

It was really sad to hear of your Mum’s passing as well as great shock. My sincere sympathies to you and all the family. Have lost my sidekick for a lot of information and knowledge. I would like to have a discussion with you regarding your Mum a bouting putting a photo on the 2022 Museum calendar. I have all but completed and my last phone conversation with Lyn was about completing the calendar. I have at this time added to the front of the calendar < Dedicated to the Memory of the Late Lyn Johnston> Can you send me your phone number so that I can give you call would greatly appreciated. Kind Regards Rob Lennon Treasurer AHM Inc

I am here for you and your family if there is anything I can do. Please do not hesitate to ask me. Rose Reid and I are keeping each other consoled as we have spent a lot of time with your mum. A huge gap has now been formed in our lives. We will do all we can to help continue what she has done for the community. Please pass on my wishes to the rest of your family and I will wait for further updates from you all. All my best wishes to you and Chris. So pleased you have found a nice man. Lyn loved him. Love Barbara

Thank you for letting me know of the sudden passing of my dear friend Lyn; I join you in your sorrow. She was a true friend as well as a loved relative. Please pass on my condolences to family members, and accept my sympathy for yourself too, Regards Nancy Cooke (nee Witheford) Best regards Peter Marsh

Hi Christy We are sorry to hear about your Mum. 74 is a bit young. We remember all the good times out on our boats with the Weightman, Hanley and Penney families in the Bay of Islands. Those were good days. Unfortunately we didn’t keep in contact with Lyn after she left Kaikohe but she left us with a reminder of herself with her painting of our boat in the Bay that hangs in our dining room. Please accept our sympathy for your sad loss. Julia and Ron Penney

Dear Family of Lyn Johnston I am writing to say how sorry I am to have learnt about the recent death of Lyn. It is only this year that I have made the acquaintance with Lyn and that was in relation to the Wharehine/Tapora District. I was put in touch with her by her cousin Pat Collier (nee Avenell). As a child my parents drew a ballot farm that was just along the road from Marsh Road so the Avenell, Marsh, Radich and Witheford families were our old neighbours. This year was to be a big reunion of old friends and neighbours from the district and we were all to stay at the accommodation now available at Atiu Creek farm park. As it turned out Covid prevented two of my siblings from returning to NZ and several other folk were unable to attend for various reasons. However Lyn and I corresponded a few times in the lead up and she was most helpful. When our group finally met up on Aug 15th, it was at the Albertland Museum in Wellsford and then out to have morning tea with Lyn at her home on the old Marsh Farm. She was a great hostess and very happy to see her cousin Gwyn Avenell who was a member of our group. We spent some interesting time with her and realised she had a wealth of information about local history and events. We could have spent the whole day with her as she could tell us so much. Our holiday was cut short by the Covid outbreak and we never got a chance to get back with Lyn as we had to get back home, which for me was Wakefield in the South Island. I know Jenny Vicelich (nee Radich) sent her a thank you message and I had intended to do the same. We were all shocked to hear of her sudden death and wish to convey our condolences. You have not only lost a loved one but the whole district has lost someone who was an integral part of the community and who kept those old records safe and available for all to share. Sincerely Yvonne Tye (nee Lapwood).

Lynette Robin Johnston.....4..7.1947 - 9.9.2021 'MEMORIES LAST FOREVER' The Fairweather Family from oldest to youngest wish to acknowledge with great love the contribution Lyn made to our lives..... OLDEST..... Much loved younger sister of Kay & sister-in-law of Murray... Adored Aunty to Stephen & Merryn...Michelle & Marty....Andrew (Andy) & Julie..... Very special Great Aunt to Mikayla & Ben..Chloe & Matt.. Corey... Josh & Leish...Emma...Ryan & Abby... & YOUNGEST.....Special Great Great Aunt to Milo..... SONG...'TIME TO SAY GOODBYE'.. to my only sister..💕...You will be sadly missed..... A celebration of Lyn's life will be held when restrictions in Auckland are lifted....