Tributes and messages for Nancy’s family from the anzea community

23 October 2009

Nancy was a founding member of this Association that was formed in 2006 and she has been a Board member since this time. She held the portfolio of Pacific Evaluation development. She had a role in supporting the development of Pacific evaluators both in Aotearoa and the Pacific. She was an active member of other national evaluation Associations throughout the world flying the flag for the Pacific.

The following tributes come from some of the people involved in the evaluation community who knew Nancy….

To: the children and husband of the late Nancy,
It is with deep sadness that I learnt of the sudden passing away of your mother and wife. Nancy had been instrumental in setting up the Pacific Evaluation team of which I am part of.  She was a true mentor and a friend to me. And her passing will leave a gap that cannot be filled easily. Nancy will always be remembered as a pioneer to the Pacific Evaluation team in New Zealand.
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of sorrow.

God bless,
Dulcie Paina

Nancy made such a great contribution to the field of evaluation and economic development - I feel such aroha for her family at such a time - please pass on my love.

Karen Johns
Manukau City Council

My deepest sympathy to Nancy’s family

Pam Oliver
Anzea Board

Moe mai e te tuahine ki to moenga roa
Tino pouri taku ngakau i rongo te hinga moku
Rest well in the long sleep sister
My heart is sad to hear you have fallen

To the family who miss her - my deepest sorrow at this searing grief and abrupt loss

I have much respect for Nancy and her commitments to Pacific Evaluation - May your memories hold her close and her presence be ever near.
She has started new learnings and only out of view. The love you have inside you remains forever - U take it with you.  Thank you for the opportunity to work with you friend.

Suaree Borell
Ngati Ranginui Ngati Apakura me  Ngati Hamoa
Te Roopu Whāriki (Massey University)

My deepest condolences to Nancy’s family on their tragic loss. My thoughts are with you all at this sad time.

Jackie Pivach
anzea administrator

AUE AUE AUE
Oku tangi lahi au ahoni - oi aue
Where has Nancy, our Fijian friend gone? oi aue
Where has Nancy, the loving mother of wonderful children gone? oi aue
Where has Nancy, the daughter, sister, wife, niece, cousin, aunt, relative gone? oi aue
Where has Nancy, the friend, colleague, skilled expert, researcher, evaluator gone? oi aue
She shared her Tongan ancestry with me, I shared my Fijian ancestry with her
I will miss her ready smile, her banter, her passion for Fijian and  Pacific peoples,
her intellect and insightful critique, her readiness to stand up and fight for what she
believed in, and her ability to faithfully follow through - through word and action.
There will be a loneliness and hole in our hearts
However - knowing Nancy - she will continue to expect the best
So yes - there will be legacy to continue - and I for one - and I know the rest of us will continue with that ngaue / mahi

I am very sorry that I won’t be in New Zealand to attend her service - but can you please extend my ofa / aroha / lotu / karakia to her family

Naumai, Te Rangatira, kua purea, kua tohia, whaka puta i a koe
Ki runga te Turanga Matua
Te korowai kahu hei whakamahana ia koe mai i to hangatanga,
ki te Ao, na o Tamariki a Ranginui me Papatuanuku koe i kakahu.
Titiro Tawhiti...ko Apopo tera.

Haere haere haere atu ra e hoa, e moe

Ofa lahi atu ki te kainga katoa o Nancy
Ofa lahi atu ki tautolu

Tania Wolfgramm
(Ngati Rarana - London)
anzea Board

Kia ora tatou

On behalf of the Waikato/Bay of Plenty branch of anzea we would like to send our sincerest condolences, aroha and support to Nancy's family. We acknowledge Nancy's contribution to the establishment of anzea, her
support of our branch, and development of Pasifika evaluation.
She will be sadly missed, and our thoughts and prayers go out to her family and friends at this time.
kia kaha, kia toa, kia manawanui
Arohanui

Jacqueline Henry, Jo Cottrell & Dallas Honey
Branch Committee
Waikato/Bay of Plenty anzea

It was with tremendous shock and sadness that I received the news of Nancy’s passing – may I offer my deepest condolences to her family. I had the privilege of getting to know Nancy some years ago when we worked together on a number of research and evaluation projects. My first impressions of her were of an incredibly warm, open, generous, and highly energetic person. In her professional life, I quickly saw and deeply respected her as someone who was very focused, committed and dedicated to her work, ambitious, strategic , clever, insightful....the list goes on and on. Nancy clearly shone when she was working with Pacific groups, helping to build skills, capacity, and capability - her leadership in Pacific development leaves an outstanding legacy...her loss immeasurable.
While I saw less of Nancy these last years, when we did run into each other she always reported an exciting new project, an overseas contract, attendance at an interesting conference, involvement in ANZEA ... and always with a smile and infectious spirit.  This typified to me Nancy’s approach to, and embrace of life - someone who sought the best out of herself and others around her, someone who strove to do great things, someone with deeply held values, and a convictive to make a positive and lasting contribution.   
Thank you Nancy for the skills, wisdom, and friendship you have shared with me. You will be greatly missed, your inspiration will live on.

Michael Blewden
The Centre for Social Health Outcomes Research and Evaluation
Massey University

I really did not know Nancy that well. But we met at New Zealand and international conferences and workshops, last time just a few weeks ago in Wellington. She was always someone who was so enthusiastic and positive about life. And with a great commitment to making evaluation better.
She will be sorely missed by us all.
My deepest condolences for all her family and thank you for sharing Nancy with us, she made a difference in the world.

Regards,
Paul Duignan, PhD

I am shocked to see this mail. What has happened? I took part in IPDET, 2007 together with Nancy together with Odile. Nancy was a fantastic person and I just cant believe that she has passed away.

Margrethe Holm Andersen
Deputy Head, Evaluation
Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
Copenhagen

I just don't know where to start. Maybe I should start by saying I am sorry and that you have my sympathy. We have not met but Nancy and I met at IPDET, 2007. I have been blessed to have Nancy’s help as I am only starting my evaluation practice.  Nancy started mentoring me from the first day we met. This year we partnered on proposals and we have been editing some work on the Niue Strengthened Cooperation programme between the Government of Niue, Counties Manukau District Health Board and the New Zealand agency for International Development.

Sincerely
Eric Abdullateef
Washington DC

I am writing this to you in a state of shock. I had only been thinking earlier this morning that I had not heard from her in ages. I assume her death was sudden as she always appeared to me to be in good health. Her children must be distraught. Am I right that the youngest must only be 12 or so. I am not known to the family but please pass my sympathies to them.

Patrick Empey
Irish Aid

I am saddened by news of the sudden passing of Nancy Sheehan. I remember her as a member of IPDET, 2006 -2007. Many of us appreciated her good sense of humour. She will be missed.

Linda Morra
World Bank

My heartfelt condolences on the sad demise of Nancy Sheehan. The IPDET fraternity will always remember Nancy’s contribution in the field of Pacific evaluation.

Dr I. C. Awasthi
India