Winnie (Win) Lindores Dugdale, a passionate speech and drama teacher, exited life February 23.
A service celebrating her life was held at the Rotorua Methodist Church on February 26. At her insistence, this was bright and joyous, with contributions from family and friends.
A woman of boundless energy, enthusiasm andlove for her subject and the people she taught, Win inspired generations of Rotorua school children to open their mouths and speak with clarity and pride. Her students will remember, among other things, her insistence that there is no such day of the week as Chewsday, (It is Tuesday -- starting with a T), her box of small hand mirrors with whose aid one could observe the correct positioning of the tip of the tongue, the teeth and the lips and the liberal use of peppermints as reinforcement, or bribery.
Win's love of people extended beyond the classroom, reaching into the wider community. Among the organisations she actively supported, often in leadership roles, were the Rotorua Methodist Church, The Bainbridge Trust, Girl's Brigade, Rotorua Little Theatre and the Rotorua Competition Society.
She was an adjudicator for speech and drama competition festivals around the country for many years and relatively recently, a docent (guide) at the Rotorua Museum -- a position she relished.
Under her guidance English as a second language students at Waiariki Institute of Technology were delighted to be able to distinguish their "ls" from their "rs" and pronounce them correctly.
While her community work was officially recognised with multiple awards, including in November 2013 the Rotorua Arts Trust Award for Service to the Arts, her real legacy lives on in the lives of those she touched.
Her example, expertise and generosity of spirit enabled others to literally find their voices, to stand and deliver with confidence, on and off the stage.
We remember her zest, her vigour, her practical compassion and her humour with gratitude. In her honour we will never muddle our "ds" and "ts", our vowels will be full and our consonants crisp.
Win's was a long life played to the full on many stages, public and private. We, her family and friends, are thankful for the parts we had in it.
