In loving memory of
Natasha Templeton
1936 - 2024
TEMPLETON, Natasha. Died peacefully in Wellington on September 6, 2024. Dearly loved wife of Hugh, mother of Nina and James, grandmother of James, Jack and Hugh, sister of Irina and daughter of Valentina Nikolaevna and Evgeny Evgenievich. A funeral service will be held in Wellington Cathedral of St Paul, on September 17 at 2.00pm, followed by a private burial. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wellington Free Ambulance. Messages for the family can be sent care of Lychgate Funerals, 306 Willis St, Wellington.
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TRIBUTES
Judy Berryman
I admired Natasha when she came to an Orpheus Choir rehearsal about 30 years ago to teach us how to pronounce the Russian lyrics – I think it was Stravinsky’s Les Noces. It was a very impressive experience – my first insight into reading the cyrillic text and I’ve never forgotten that experience. What a gracious language teacher. More recently, we have met occasionally at a service at Wellington Cathedral, when Hugh and she attended. A sad loss in our community. I send my sympathy and prayers to all the Templeton whanau.
I admired Natasha when she came to an Orpheus Choir rehearsal about 30 years ago to teach us how to pronounce the Russian lyrics – I think it was Stravinsky’s Les Noces. It was a very impressive experience – my first insight into reading the cyrillic text and I’ve never forgotten that experience. What a gracious language teacher. More recently, we have met occasionally at a service at Wellington Cathedral, when Hugh and she attended. A sad loss in our community. I send my sympathy and prayers to all the Templeton whanau.
Rob Laking
Dear Hugh and all the Templeton family – we will always remember Natasha for the amazing, vibrant, open, loving person that she was. We remember visiting you in Bolton St with a grandchild of our own and how Natasha immediately and directly addressed herself to one small person and won him over immediately. We also remember the long association of Templetons and Lakings and Hugh speaking at my own father’s funeral in 2008. It has been a great marriage, Hugh, and you will be devastated at losing your wonderful life partner. With all our love and sympathy – Rob and Colleen.
Dear Hugh and all the Templeton family – we will always remember Natasha for the amazing, vibrant, open, loving person that she was. We remember visiting you in Bolton St with a grandchild of our own and how Natasha immediately and directly addressed herself to one small person and won him over immediately. We also remember the long association of Templetons and Lakings and Hugh speaking at my own father’s funeral in 2008. It has been a great marriage, Hugh, and you will be devastated at losing your wonderful life partner. With all our love and sympathy – Rob and Colleen.
Coran Lill
I wanted to pass on my best wishes to the family and close friends of Natasha.
I wanted to pass on my best wishes to the family and close friends of Natasha.
I was sad to hear she had died and had thought of her often over the years.
Though I never knew her as Natasha – rather as Mrs Templeton.
She bounced daily into the Russian classes she so passionately and ably taught. I was hooked – the language was hard work but her love of the Russian culture – literature, poetry, song, music, history, politics – she passed it all generously to us and instilled in me a life-long love of it. She had such a joy for her teaching – I remember her bursting into song in class one day, encouraging us to get up and sing and dance. I still remember the song. I continued classes until the end of school and then completed my arts degree in Russian.
Whenever I ran into her she encouraged me to visit Russia. I did in 2014 and it was everything she promised.
I am currently re-reading Winter in the Summer Garden, which I found on my bookshelf after my mother contacted me earlier this week to let me know the news. It is an incredible story, and beautifully written.
I hope you have many happy memories at this time. I certainly do.
Wishing you all the best
Coran
Though I never knew her as Natasha – rather as Mrs Templeton.
She bounced daily into the Russian classes she so passionately and ably taught. I was hooked – the language was hard work but her love of the Russian culture – literature, poetry, song, music, history, politics – she passed it all generously to us and instilled in me a life-long love of it. She had such a joy for her teaching – I remember her bursting into song in class one day, encouraging us to get up and sing and dance. I still remember the song. I continued classes until the end of school and then completed my arts degree in Russian.
Whenever I ran into her she encouraged me to visit Russia. I did in 2014 and it was everything she promised.
I am currently re-reading Winter in the Summer Garden, which I found on my bookshelf after my mother contacted me earlier this week to let me know the news. It is an incredible story, and beautifully written.
I hope you have many happy memories at this time. I certainly do.
Wishing you all the best
Coran
Dow Ainslie (née) Burns
Our thoughts are with Hugh and family- many memories of Samoa days and the beginning of your political career.
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WHEN
Tue 17th September 2024
at 2:00 pm