Respected and admired, and dedicated to family and community, Ngaire Roberts was a force of nature and made an impression in so many ways during the 83 years of her life.
Ngaire loved life and colour and her warm and friendly personality drew others to her. She gave generously of her time, mind, heart and spirit to her family and friends, and in the service of community. She was a dear friend, loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother, godmother, confidante, mentor and neighbour.
Those who had the pleasure of knowing Ngaire will fondly remember what a gracious and generous soul she was before she was peacefully and lovingly taken into God’s care surrounded by the love of family on 22 November 2022.
Originally from Wellington in New Zealand, Ngaire was a primary school teacher and a talented speaker and tennis player. With an adventurous spirit, Ngaire spent time travelling through Europe in her early 20s before moving to Australia, then living in Papua New Guinea for years before settling here on the Sunshine Coast in 1974. Her love of travel was lifelong.
Ngaire was one of the founding members of Buderim Private Hospital and was actively involved in the hospital community for 43 years. She spent six years on the Board of the Buderim Private Hospital and also served as the President of the Ladies Auxiliary, becoming a Life Member in 2001. Ngaire received the Moderator’s Community Service Medal from the Uniting Church in 2005 for her service to the hospital, and was also awarded an Australia Day honour for her outstanding contributions to the hospital community.
Ngaire’s support of the hospital knew no bounds – she even gifted one of her new grandsons 30 pairs of Ladies Auxiliary shop booties. In recent years, Ngaire also supported the hospital’s Cindy Mackenzie Breast Cancer Program, among many other deserving local charities.
At the hospital’s Foundation Day in 2015, Ngaire said: “I have spent half my lifetime now with connections to this hospital and it has been an exciting journey watching the continual growth and development of this successful medical community.”
Ngaire was a woman of elegance with a heart of gold. As a hospital community we mourn her loss, fondly remember the time we spent with her, and value her incredible contribution to our staff and patients over the decades.
Rest in Peace, Ngaire.