Laura was born on the 4th of March 1890 at Ellesmere in Christchurch and Baptised on the 25th of May 1890 in Leeston.
Laura like her sister Ione worked at her father’s store, while painting portraits to sell.
On the 8 th of April 1915 she married Hugh Fletcher in Stratford. Laura also painted beautiful paintings showing that she like Ione had a eye for fine detail.
Hugh and Laura had there first child on the 4th of July 1916 at Auckland, it was a boy. They named him Ian Henry Fletcher .
On the 18th day of September Laura gave birth to a daughter and named her
Marie Laurette Fletcher.( Pronounced as Maori )Hugh and Mary moved to Nelson for a while before they split up and Laura returned to Otimouti where Ione resided .
Laura returned to Nelson but unfortunately they couldn't work out there differences so she returned to New Plymouth to be with Ian and Marie .
Laura was a very fine gardener and tourist coaches would stop to admire her garden .
Laura passed away on the 28th of August 1971 in New Plymouth, she was cremated.
Ian Henry Fletcher Marie Laurette Fletcher
When Ian Henry Fletcher was born Laura sent a Postcard with Ian's photo to Charles Reader with a message on the back of it. See below Marie info
It read“ Well Charl what do you think of your godson at 6 weeks & 2 days old.
I had him christened on the 10th of Sept and made you a responsible godfather, his name’s Ian Henry. E Lewis is the other godfather & A.Waddle godmother .
Hope you don’ t mind the job love Sowl . Ian married Marie Ruth Gandar ( Daughter of Doris Gandar ) On the 27th of September 1941 in Wellington.
While Ian was away in the Army Marie worked as a Draughts woman for a oil Company . She was a talented artist and singer.
Ian loved the outdoors and tramped when ever it was possible .Marie was Honoured with a QSM in 1995 for translating books into Braille for Homai Library, for 30 years from 1964
Ian was M.O for 26th Battlion ( 1941 - 1945 ) & received a Military Cross for gallantery in the field. He was in a Medical Practice in Waitara from 1950 - 1990.
Ian used to be called out at times to look for lost trampers in the bush , occasionally having to be dropped in by helicopter to attend to patients as he was a doctor by profession.Ian and Marie had four children two boys and two Girls.Corinne Mary
Robert Hugh
Janet Ruth
Alastair Neill
Marie ( Pronounced as Maori ) was born on the 18th of September 1917 in Wellington.
Marie learnt to be a teacher and worked at Hutt Valley High School, where she met her husband to be (Terry Sweeney). She has a M.A also.
They had four children, two boys and two girls.
Vivienne Gay
Colleen Marie
Michael John
Richard John
