Memorial to Tanya Burr, killed 15 September 2002

Memories of Tanya

Kirsty, our former neighbour and long-time friend, has reminded me of some things I'd long forgotten. When I bought our home in 1981, she lived next door - or just through the wall as it happens. She had moved in a few days before we did on 30 January 1981. So she experienced much of the day to day growing up of Tanya from the very start - and in fact from four months before Tanya's birth. Kirsty also shares Tanya's passion for cats.

Tanya and Kirsty with Molly's kittens. Photo: Val, Jan 1984 (the rest by Kirsty)

Kirsty's memories of Tanya

I remember Tanya best in her younger years. I lived in the flat behind Tanya and Val, and we visited each other frequently. Tanya loved cats even then! I remember Biggie Rat, L’il Rat, Boy and Tiger, three of whom are pictured with Tanya below. My memories tell me that one of them – was it Tiger? – suffered a few mishaps at Tanya’s hands, including being used as a paintbrush when Val was painting her fence!

Tanya by our old front steps in January 1984

Tiger (Jan. 1984)

Boy (Jan. 1984)

Biggie Rat (Jan. 1984)

I remember the wee tot who took some of her first steps as Val and I sat in the lounge at my place – and we both watched in awe, and we both laughed at the look on Tanya’s face when she suddenly sat down – as if she was thinking,

“Did I really just do that?”

I remember visits to my place once I’d moved over to Jackson Ave. Tanya was fascinated by a small toy xylophone I’d been given, and played with it enthusiastically. She loved it if one of us would play with her!

I remember a windblown child having fun on an old shipwrecked boat at Waiterere Beach (below) one day  – a boat I was often taken to visit as a youngster! I’m not a good photographer, but these are the photos taken in January 1989 – the one with the cap is me! Val later used a photo taken that day in her book.

Another thing I enjoyed doing was knitting for Tanya, and later for Kieran. There were many jerseys over the years. The one I most hated knitting was one Tanya chose herself from a catalogue of kitset jerseys, and I ordered it and knitted it for her – and found it rather tricky to get right! She was 12 at the time, and already taller than I am. Soon after that she went to secondary school, where peer pressure and designer clothes meant that hand-knitted jerseys were not cool! It eventually came back to me, and I am still wearing it happily. It looks rather ancient now, but brings back memories of Tanya. I don’t think she enjoyed having her photo taken!

Photo: 1993, at Kirsty's

As Tanya moved through her teenage years, spending time at my place with her mother and reading my magazines and books became less and less interesting for her, so I seldom saw her. Val would share quite a lot about her various activities at times, so I kept in touch that way.

Tanya’s death leaves a gap in many lives. May we always treasure the good memories we have of her.

Kirsty Chapman.