Coronation Buildings
Mrs Kenny had one child, Robert, who passed away two years before Mrs Kenny – Robert had looked after his mother for many years. Mrs Kenny was a long-serving Plunket Nurse, in the Te Awamutu and surrounding areas, and was an identity in the community.
A special gift by a Te Awamutu family was celebrated when a plaque was unveiled to commemorate the bequest of the Coronation Buildings to Hospice by Frances Kenny. Mrs Kenny was the only child of Mr and Mrs Frank Brooks of Te Awamutu. Mr Brooks was the local chemist and had his pharmacy in one of the shops in Coronation Building (he owned the building, and the family think that he actually built the building). Mr Brooks also started the Te Awamutu Historical Society.
The plaque was unveiled by Sharon Watkin, a cousin of Mrs Kenny, and John Erkkila, Chair of the Hospice Foundation. Craig Tamblyn, CEO of Hospice, also spoke on the work of Hospice.
Mrs Kenny left the Coronation Buildings to Hospice Waikato, as part of her estate.
Part of Mrs Watkin’s speech is printed below, giving further insight into the life of Frances Kenny.
Thank you for inviting me to be part of honouring a bequest from a member of my family.
These buildings are my uncle’s legacy. When he passed on, the buildings were then bequeathed to France, unfortunately Robert died before her. This then became her wish in her Will to bequeath the buildings to Hospice Waikato. This is a wonderful gesture for a great compassionate cause. Her only request was to have a plaque to commemorate her bequest.
Over the many years, France and I formed a very close relationship, she became my ‘mother’ figure after mum died.
On behalf of the France Kenny Estate and family, it gives me great pleasure to unveil the plaque on her behalf.
I’m sure that France and Uncle Frank will be looking down on us today, smiling and happy in the knowledge that they are forever a part of Te Awamutu history. They served their community well and fully deserve this recognition which France has instigated.
Sharon Watkin