6 April 2026
Thank you Grandma. I am inspired by your steady unwavering love for your family and your commitment to your faith. Thank you for supporting me into horses when I was a child, I will carry that purpose and passion my whole life. Thank you for teaching me to knit, I didn't appreciate it as a child but I love it as an adult. I picked up your love of watercolor painting as well. You were the heart of the home at 692 Haruru Rd and the peace and beauty of that place was a direct reflection of the love you put into it. You and Grandad modelled a steadfast, deep, and honoring relationship where you supported one another and I am living those values and bringing that forward in my own relationship with Tim. I love you. Thank you. Be well and at peace in your next life. Love Zoe.
Zoe Braddock
6 April 2026
Warm memories of our years at Dairy Flat, being neighbours and friends of the Braddock family. Joan's calm gracious ways come to mind when I think of her and those beautiful brown eyes.
Always fondly remembered by the Hepburns. With much love to Graham and the family.
Glenda Hepburn
6 April 2026
Warm memories of our years at Dairy Flat, being neighbours and friends of the Braddock family. Joan's calm gracious ways come to mind when I think of her and those beautiful brown eyes.
Always fondly remembered by the Hepburns. With much love to Graham and the family.
Glenda Hepburn
6 April 2026
Farewell our friend from teenage years! How many lovely memories we have and cherish of your friendship and hospitality over the years. Especially celebrating our daughter's wedding on your farm!!
Your kindness and friendship is a treasured memory as we farewell you into your heavenly home.
Keith and Denise Reddell
6 April 2026
Joan was the most kind and lovely person I have ever meet in my life. Always loved Joan with all my heart. If you look at Joan's eyes you can see the whole Universe of compassion and empathy. Will love you forever.
Milla Voytovich
6 April 2026
Thank you Grandma for all your support in the early years with our kids. The quietly hung out washing, dishes washed and little ones baby sat. The invitations for cups of tea, to walk on the farm and interesting chats around our gardens. Every new mother needs someone like you. I have missed you for along time now. May you rest in peace. Love your daughter in love Carley
Carley Braddock
6 April 2026
Thank you Grandma for all your support in the early years with our kids. The quietly hung out washing, dishes washed and little ones baby sat. The invitations for cups of tea, to walk on the farm and interesting chats around our gardens. Every new mother needs someone like you. I have missed you for along time now. May you rest in peace. Love your daughter in love Carley
Carley Braddock
6 April 2026
To Graham and the Braddock family, I am so sorry for your loss. Joan and I were great friends from primary and high school. We used to spend time at each other’s houses. Joan never said a mean word about anyone. I have wonderful memories of our time together. We had many fun times at girls brigade and on the farm, even trying to learn to ride a horse. She was a great friend. We did get told off for talking through the night many times, but we enjoyed all the time we spent together.
Our families grew up at the same time, although by then we had moved to Taranaki to farm. Joan would still visit now and then. I greatly cherished those times together.
You are in my thoughts.
Beverly Roper
6 April 2026
Dear Uncle Graham and the wider Braddock whanau,
I’m so sorry for your loss.
Though I did not get to spend nearly as much time as I would have liked, I am so thankful for those days I did spend in your home. Visiting the farm, roaming through the bush, timidly moving the grumpy goat in the backyard, feeding a bottle of milk to a newly born lamb (in the family kitchen, I think, though this memory is a little cloudy), the excitement of hunting at night with a spotlight, and sharing meals at your large family table - afterwards, listening to whatever was being read to everyone at the time (I have a feeling it was one of the Narnia books at one point, but I may have that wrong).
For me, a visit to the Braddocks was always highly anticipated - an incredibly enjoyable experience. It felt a little like stepping out of the flow of everyday life - into a combination of rest, fun, and peaceful warmth. And, I think, behind much of that atmosphere was Aunty Joan: the smiling eyes, the gentle calm presence, the stabilising warmth. I remember being struck by how hard she worked: how busy she was around the farm (long plaited hair, gumboots, quad bike and dog), how she kept everything flowing around the house. I recall how patient and caring she was - I don’t remember ever hearing her raise her voice. And, for some reason, I remember an understated sense of humour that made me suspect she was inwardly chuckling at something. It was all in the eyes. That's my impression, anyway.
It was a privilege to know Aunty Joan, even a little. To those who knew her best, and especially to my Uncle Graham, who must now press on through such deep loss, I am so sorry. From Amie and me, and our little family down-country, please accept our sincere condolences and thoughts and prayers.
As we were speaking of Aunty Joan, Amie reminded me of the quote often attributed to Mother Theresa: “If you want to change the world, go home and love your family.” As Aunty Joan’s life is celebrated the truth of that statement will, I’m sure, be given powerful substance - as the direct effect of her steady, calm, persistent, and gentle love of people, rippling out through generations, is remembered and re-lived and honoured.
Thank you, Lord, for Aunty Joan.
Dan, Amie, Nate, Ella, and Mia Mafi
Daniel and Amie Mafi
6 April 2026
My Grandma was the most lovely person I ever knew, and such a Godly example of a woman. I couldn't be more grateful for her presence in my life - a presence of steady calm and gentleness. I look back with so much fondness on all my memories of her. I just felt so happy around her. She remains one of my biggest role models, and a clear example of God's goodness in my life.
Lately I've been reading and rereading the epilogue at the end of Proverbs 31. It's impossible not to think of Grandma when you read it, because the words so accurately describe her. "Her children arise and call her blessed." Grandma was indeed blessed. May she rest in eternal peace and joy with our good good Father in heaven.
I love you Grandma.
Noah Van Braddock Raikes
5 April 2026
Joan was an incredible lady - she was unflapable despite having 6 adventurous kids. She was genuine in her love for God. She was welcoming and not judgy. She was creative. Her cake was legendary. Rest in peace Joan with your creator.
Jenny Wagener
2 April 2026
I'm Hope's best friend and I have so many memories of Grandma. She would see us on our rides, invite us in and pour us a cup of juice each. She told us to put our helmets on when she spotted us riding on several occasions. She was usually on the farm riding her quad with a dog in tow and a long plat in her hair. I never heard her raise her voice at us. She was gentle and kind to me and made me feel special.
Naomi Elley
2 April 2026
Joan was a wonderfully kind, sweet, hospitable, humble, patient and faithful woman with quietly twinkling eyes. In 1985-6, as Graham was painting the last leaves on a tree in front of the Garden Tomb, having painted Joan peeking inside that tomb, I was talking with him about what KingsWay School might be like in the future. As we imagined together, Joan would ply us with lovely cold drinks and home baking. She was a treasure. Here is the painting to which I refer. https://www.goodsalt.com/the-garden-tomb-he-is-risen-gkbas0046?srsltid=AfmBOoq5G7M6XvRECZMZPavqTjOP7AhGeOE3NwmOJSEF6H6A_-VH1IAG
Helen Pearson
2 April 2026
Beautiful memories of such a lovely, gentle person. I'm sure her life has blessed many people. Thoughts and prayers are with Graham and family..
Tricia Stott ( nee Airey)
1 April 2026
Joan has always been a lovely, kind, caring and inspiring sister-in-law for me, a wonderful and practical wife for my brother and a great example of gentle, happy motherhood, much loved by her children, grandchildren and many others. I praise God for her genuine Christian faith and for the Biblical promise of resurrection to eternal life for those who have died "in Christ". (I Thessalonians 4:14-18)
Sylvia Mavis Coulter
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