Joyce and Graham Walker, of the Katikati Blind and Partially Sighted Support Group, of which Mrs O'Connor was a member, yesterday said they were saddened to hear of the crash.
"Shirley's only had the mobility scooter for a few months after she stopped driving and I have seen her having some problems navigating it a couple of times before," Mrs Walker said.
Mrs O'Connor was popular member of the group because of her "bubbly, outgoing personality". She had twice been guest speaker at group meetings and regaled them with humorous tales of overseas trips.
Mrs O'Connor's niece Liz Sayers, who travelled to Tauranga from Kerikeri on Monday afternoon, had been keeping vigil at her aunt's hospital bedside.
"It's been a real shock and I haven't slept much much since ... My mind is like pudding at the moment," she said yesterday.
Her widowed aunt had lived in Katikati for about 20 years but was originally from Auckland.
Mrs O'Connor had lived a "very full life" and was a member of many community organisations. She joined the Katikati Blind and Partially Sighted Support Group for social reasons. She had been driving until a few months ago.
"My aunt did have a few teething problems and found it difficult to adjust [to the mobility scooter] but maintaining her independence is very important to her," she said.
- additional reporting NZME.
