Community worker has a “a heart of gold”
From left, colleagues, Sheryl Nalder, Margy Meys, Premal Gauntlett, Claire Hornby and Helen Bracefield at Claire’s farewell last Saturday. Photo: Neil Wilson.
Caledonia you’re calling me
And now I’m going home
If I should become a stranger
You know that it would make me more than sad…
From Caledonia by Dougie McLean
Claire Hornby sang Caledonia (with vocal assistance from Martine Bouillir) to a big crowd of teary-eyed clients, colleagues, friends and neighbours at her farewell in the Old School Café in Pakawau last Saturday.
Claire has been a much-loved Home Based Support co-ordinator and an important community asset, especially in Pakawau. She left the Bay on Sunday to go back home to Scotland.
Claire had many qualities that made her effective, respected and admired. People spoke of her compassion, her sense of humour and her practicality, but most agreed that it was her ability to meet people, right where they were, in a totally non-judgemental way that was so important in her work and in her everyday life.
One of Claire’s colleagues, community worker Glynn Rogers, spoke about the life experience, intelligence and humility Claire brought to her work.
“Claire has an absolute heart of gold and, although she seemed not to know, she touched people’s lives in really special ways. It was like she sprinkled fairy dust wherever she went.”
Neil Wilson
