MARSDEN HOUSE - Key Persons
Brenda was looking for a new challenge after working for Nelson Tasman Kindergartens for 14 and a half years. She saw the advertisement for an administrator at P Day & Son Ltd and pictured herself working as the administrator alongside funeral directors. After being an administrator primarily in community-based workplaces for 24 years, Brenda felt that even though funeral homes are not community workplaces, they are helping the community at a grassroots level.
"Working with Bevan and Bridget at the start of their journey with Days Funeral Services Ltd is a privilege, and with my accounts experience and ability to connect with families, I am really enjoying being part of a team that continues to help and assist families through an often-tough time in their lives."
Brenda has recently purchased her first home and is enjoying the ability to plan and plant her own garden. She wishes for her garden to have mainly edibles and is becoming a passion to research and learn about different fruit trees and vegetables.
Francis believes in bringing the highest standards of professionalism to his calling. He is mindful of the philosophy, values and tradition of serving Nelson, inherited by him down a continuous four-generation line. Francis aims to pass on those values and philosophy through his own family, with his wife Paddy, children Bridget and Patrick, who are all involved in the business - his youngest son Michael has a career in Accounting and Business Management. Francis qualified in 1966 in Australia as an embalmer and has since tutored for the embalming course for the Central Institute of Technology. He has served as president and examiner for the Embalmers Association and is a life member of that association. Francis is the long serving chairman of the Funeral Services Training Trust.
One of only four Nelsonians qualified with a NZQA Diploma in Funeral Service, and holds a Fellowship Degree of the British Institute of Embalmers, Francis strongly believes in providing a warm, professional and supportive atmosphere in which to farewell the deceased. He says funerals are for the living, where you pay your respects to the dead - remember them but also reaffirm your faith, creed or philosophy and give you assistance to cope with your loss.
After finishing her career with the BNZ where she had been for 17 years, Kirsten decided it was time for a change.