Winz shooting: RSA pays tribute to 'fantastic nana'

"Words cannot express just how much we appreciated Peg in our lives." Kerrie Scott's tribute to her stepmother Peggy Noble

Slain Winz worker Peggy Noble has been remembered tonight at the Returned Services Association where she was well known and loved.

Mrs Noble, 67, had been a member of the RSA for many years and at 6pm a minute's silence was held in her honour.

Thursdays are club night in Ashburton and the RSA was packed with members who all stood for the tribute.

The stepdaughter of Ms Noble spoke of her grief on a Facebook memorial page this morning.

Mrs Noble and Leigh Cleveland, 55, died on Monday and Lindy Curtis, 43, was seriously injured when Russell John Tully allegedly shot them at close range inside the Ashburton Winz office.

"Words cannot express just how much we appreciated Peg in our lives," Mrs Noble's stepdaughter Kerrie Scott posted on Facebook earlier today.

"She was a much loved step mum to me, and a fantastic nana to my children when they were young. The news is devastating and my condolences to the family and friends.

"She will always be in our hearts and we will never forget you."

The sister of slain Winz worker Leigh Cleveland also took to Facebook, posting a memorial to the 55-year-old.

"You will always be in our hearts and dearly missed," wrote Barbara Frew Cleveland.

"You were a great sister and friend. Always thinking of others. Now a big piece of our lives has been taken."

A civic memorial service for the slain Winz workers is likely to be held late next week.

A memorial service has been set for September 11 at 12.15pm

Around Ashburton support was mounting for the victims' families.

Local business owners had started a collection to support them financially, and Ashburton workers planned to wear black on the day of Mrs Noble and Ms Cleveland's funerals as a sign of respect and condolence.

"I think it's a way for everybody to be able to do something, what can you do apart from going down the road and putting flowers at the cordon?" Paper Plus book assistant Norma Geddes told the Ashburton Guardian.

"You want to acknowledge them in some way don't you, so I think it's a lovely idea that we can participate in something."

Spark store manager Erin Keefe said: "Even though we didn't know them personally, everybody has been touched."

Members of the public were also planning to hold a candlelight vigil at the cordon at 8pm tonight.

THE OTHER VICTIMS

Leigh Cleveland

Lindy Curtis