The Torbay community will gather tonight to mark the first anniversary of Pat Wearn's disappearance.
The Torbay community will gather tonight to mark the first anniversary of Pat Wearn's disappearance.
A year has passed since 73-year-old Patricia (Pat) Wearn disappeared without a trace from her Caversham Dr home in Torbay.
It was 12.30pm on January 16, 2017 when the elderly North Shore woman set off on her daily walk around the seaside suburb, wearing light blue three-quarter-length pants, a patterned top and sandals.
Unbeknownst to her husband John who waited at home, this would be the last time he or anyone else would see Wearn - a woman described as kind and generous and a dedicated church-goer.
Later that afternoon, Waitemata Police said they were worried about Wearn's whereabouts because of her Alzheimer's.
Police asked the public to check their sheds, garages and other places of shelter, and officers went door-to-door and spoke to residents to see if they had seen or heard anything.
Less than 24 hours later, a large-scale search operation had been launched, including Police Search and Rescue and Landsar volunteers, the Police Eagle Helicopter, the Police National Dive Squad and members of the defence force.
As well as water, coast and land searches near Wearn's home, hours of CCTV and traffic camera footage were reviewed.
After a week of intensive searches and consultation with medical experts, the search for Wearn was called off.
Patricia Wearn (known as Pat) went missing on January 16, 2017, from her home in Torbay in Auckland.
A year on the Torbay community have come together to honour Wearn's life.
Administrator of the Facebook page "Local Community Support for Pat Wearn", Gemma Cappel, has planned a vigil near Wearn's home.
"A year ago today our community came together to help find one of our own," Cappel's post read.
"A year ago today Pat Wearn went missing. We didn't get the result we had all hoped for but we did get a sense of community spirit, togetherness and friendships that are still thriving.
"Today we should remember all the positive things that Pat brought into our lives for most of us without even meeting her."
Wearn's son, Andy Wearn, has also taken to the Facebook group to express the family's appreciation for all the support they have received from the community.
"It is difficult to know where to start," his post read.
Pat Wearn with her son Andy. Photo / Supplied
"A year ago, we experienced sudden loss, but also unexpected comfort in the way in which so many people rallied around.
"Of course, this January week will always be a time of sadness, yet what I recall most strongly is the positives: the kind and determined professionals, the warm and selfless North Shore community, the sensitivity of our friends, a loving church.
"It has been a huge help over the year to remember the good that came out of Mum's loss: a visible community united, conversations between neighbours, an awareness of impairment, friendships made.
"Meeting some of you and releasing balloons on Long Bay was a memorable ritual. Thank you to all who wrote in the book or left a note on the tree. It took us a few weeks before we could read them, but when we did it was with grateful tears."
Andy Wearn thanked those gathering to remember his mother and said the family would be having a quiet meal together.
"I have many good memories of a kind and loving mother who was committed to family and generous with others," his post read.
"Even with her declining dementia she cared about others, had a smile for everyone and held strongly to her faith.
"One of her favourite phrases was, "Aren't they lovely people?" She would be saying that today."
