EICHSTAEDT,� ROSE MARIE nee GIBBINS

 

Marie Gibbins was born on the 28 May 1930 at Inglewood, the daughter of Godfrey Jenning and Agnes Ethel Gibbins nee Stieller.

 

Marie commenced work in 1947 with Hawera accountant H E Robinson and upon his death, she continued to work for Jack Gadd, also an accountant.� Marie then worked at the Hawera Police Station for eight years before her marriage on the 27 July 1974 to Bernard Terence Eichstaedt.

 

It was during her time with Messrs Robinson and Gadd that Marie became involved with trotting and later with the Hawera Racing Club.� One day Mr A J Corrigan needed a third choice as a name to register for a trotter . He had two names already, and couldn't think of a third, so someone jokingly suggested that he put down the name Marie Gibbins after the office clerk.� You can imagine Marie's surprise when the registration came back, and the trotter had been named after her!�

 

This trotter, trained by Doug Grantham,� performed very well in New Zealand before being sold to the United States.� Marie was very involved with the trotting fraternity and was always available for the many hours of long work required prior to a local trotting meeting.� For nearly 20 years she was the stipendiary stewards' stenographer and also assisted visiting handicappers.� Her considerable talents helped to enhance trotting in this area for over 30 years.

 

Marie was secretary of the St Joseph's Tennis Club from 1950 to 1974 and was made a life member of the club for her many years of service. She represented Taranaki at tennis on many occasions and with her brother Ray won many local and provincial tennis titles.� She won the N Z Catholic tennis doubles title and on another occasion was runner-up.� Marie was also an accomplished table tennis and netball player and represented South Taranaki on many occasions.

 

Marie was also diocesan treasurer of the Catholic Women's League and had at one time taught Christian doctrine classes at St Joseph's Parish.

 

Marie Eichstaedt died on the 10 September 1985 at Hawera aged 55 years and is buried at the Hawera cemetery.

 

SOURCES

Obituary "Hawera Star" 17 Sep 1985

Jack Gadd