"He was incredible and had many skills and talents.
"He lived life fully."
Ms Macklow, who was married to her husband for 21 years, said she wanted to share her story to break the silence.
"It is like having your life blown apart into many pieces and our family is now faced with the seemingly impossible task of pulling those pieces back together."
The event comes after provisional figures released by Chief Coroner Judge Deborah Marshall on Monday showed the number of suicides in the Bay of Plenty reached an eight-year high.
A total of 41 Bay people took their own lives in the year to June and the number climbed to 606 deaths nationally.
Youth ambassador Samara Read, 16, also attended the event to give a voice to young people.
Miss Read said she had heard the stories of her friends' families who had lost their sons, daughters and siblings to suicide.
"It sucks to see so many young people exposed to it," she said. "It is really heartbreaking... a mother's cry will never leave your mind."
The YesWeCare.nz coalition invited Prime Minister Bill English and ACT Party leader David Seymour to join bereaved families with 606 shoes at Parliament on International Suicide Prevention Day, September 10.
They had also requested a face-to-face meeting with families on September 11.
WHERE TO GET HELP:
If you are worried about your or someone else's mental health, the best place to get help is your GP or local mental health provider. However, if you or someone else is in danger or endangering others, call police immediately on 111.
Or if you need to talk to someone else:
- LIFELINE: 0800 543 354 (available 24/7)
- SUICIDE CRISIS HELPLINE: 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO) (available 24/7)
- YOUTHLINE: 0800 376 633
- KIDSLINE: 0800 543 754 (available 24/7)
- WHATSUP: 0800 942 8787 (1pm to 11pm)
- DEPRESSION HELPLINE: 0800 111 757 (available 24/7)
- SAMARITANS: 0800 726 666
- OUTLINE: 0800 688 5463 (confidential service for the LGBTQI+
community, their friends and families)
UPCOMING SUICIDE AWARENESS EVENTS IN TAURANGA:
Into the Light
September 2, 12pm-6pm, Queen Elizabeth Youth Centre
Organised by Aroha Suicide Awareness Prevention, the family-friendly event will include a concert and motivational speakers encouraging people to open up about suicide.
Sad Blokes: Men, Depression and Suicide
September 13, 9am - 4:30pm, Baycourt Community & Arts Centre, $126.50 - $184
A day-long workshop with an internationally respected specialist on suicide in men, Barry Taylor.