SAUNDERS, Ilse Brunette
Family and friends are invited to attend a celebration of life for Ilse, to be held on Wednesday, 30th July 2025 in the Chapel at the Centenary Memorial Park, 353 Wacol Station Road, Sumner, commencing at 2:00pm.
Service Recording
Your Funeral Director for this service was
Date
- 30 07 25
- Expired!
Time
- 2:00 pm
Labels
- Funeral Service
Dear Brand, dear Zinnia, dear Liezl,
It seems unreal to be writing this today.
I remember clearly the first time I met Ilse, when both of us worked in the office of the contracts and geo-mapping archives at the power company in North Shore, Auckland in 2002!
A strong and unique personality smiled and delivered a message across the room. “That’s not a kiwi accent!”. Immediately recognising the travelling Brit during his first weeks of a year in New Zealand. We exchanged many entertaining thoughts about living in different countries, their similarities, their differences and yet how it shouldn’t matter where you come from at all, every place should make you welcome.
Once my three month contract in Auckland ended, I headed out on the road with my battered “backpackers” Honda and explored NZ. We kept in touch and met up again early in 2003 in sunny Mt Maunganui, where Ilse, Brand and the girls had relocated.
By the end of 2004 I was back in the UK but we emailed. Ilse and her family made a new start in Brisbane. We reconnected there at the beginning of my second backpacking year and I was so touched by Ilse and Brand’s kindness, welcoming me to their home over Christmas that year. That warm-heartedness and generousity of spirit are exactle the traits Ilse shared and gave the world. Brand’s love for Ilse was very obvious, as he aimed to smooth over the challenge of moving countries.
Over the years we emailed and as covid ripped the world apart, we finally started video calling. When we called, we would catch up for hours and Ilse would of course share her thoughts liberally and entertainingly, again her uniqueness always shone through. Never one to hold back, one of Ilse gifts, was to never pretend to the world around you just to keep others happy. While some found this uncompromising, perhaps our world needs a little more of Ilse’s impulse to be absolutely true to yourself.
We would talk about topics she had deeply researched or listened to. The conversations were often ones that others would find too “fringe” or esoteric. When talking about these, Ilse’s eyes lit up. Even chatting a few weeks ago, my partner Louie and I saw Ilse’s fascination about what makes our world tick, exploring life’s diversity and human interaction.
This constant learning, was I’m sure a helpful diversion during her health challenges. Again, Brand lovingly supported Ilse through these, always, her rock.
From both Louie and I, our hearts go out to you Brand, Zinnia and Liezl. In Ilse, your family had an exceptional mother and special soul. I am so thankful to have been able to get to know you Brand and Ilse over this time and grateful for every inspiring conversation.
With all our Love,
Jay & Louie