15 June 2026
The loyal contribution of Harbour Hospice volunteers will be recognised at a special celebration on 2 July.
The event will also mark the 30th birthday of hospice’s Wellsford shop, which was opened in a small space behind what was then Mac’s Takeaway, now Subway, on 24 June 1996.
Jenny Howlett and Marilyn Shepherd, who started with Harbour Hospice 30 years ago, will be among the 37 volunteers who will receive recognition at the ceremony.
Marilyn started at the Wellsford shop soon after it opened and says she loves working alongside the other volunteers. She’s proud that the shop, which has relocated twice, has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars towards local patient and family care.
“In 1999 the Wellsford Lions shifted it to a space under the liquor store on Harrison St, then in 2009 it moved to Rodney St.”
Harbour Hospice retail services manager Maria Baird says the shop has always been well supported.
“We feel humbled every day by the generosity of those who’ve donated goods, made purchases or who’ve given their time to volunteer,” Maria says.
Marilyn agrees that the community has always been generous, although she admits being left confused by one item that was donated for sale. “I thought it was a lovely glass vase and priced it at $2, only to be informed by the shop manager that it was a bong!”
Marilyn still looks forward to her Tuesday morning shifts, and Jenny says she feels the same.
“Hospice is a wonderful organisation to be involved with, and I’ve just met so many lovely people,” Jenny says.
As well as working on reception on Tuesdays, Jenny has helped hospice with its Open Doors programme and volunteered as a community visitor, patient driver and fundraiser.
“It's important to give something to our community. If we all did something little, just once a week, everyone benefits.”
Of all her volunteer roles, Jenny says community visiting has given her the most joy. “It’s a real privilege when people ‘let you in’ and I have had some gorgeous patients over the years.
“There was one gentleman who would always grab my arm and say, ‘Come on, let’s go!’ when I arrived to take him out.
“I had another lady who wasn’t sure at all about hospice coming to see her and her husband, who was very ill. But when I visited them for the first time I commented on the beautiful photos she had hanging in the entrance of her home, and she said, ‘Jenny, you’re the first person who has ever remarked on them’.”
Jenny was inspired to volunteer for hospice after working as a receptionist for Dr Peter Woolford, an Auckland doctor who specialised in palliative care. She also brought her late husband, Merv, on board, who dedicated 15 years to Tui House as a volunteer handyman.
Both Jenny and Marilyn say they’ll carry on volunteering for hospice for as long as they possibly can.
“This is a very special part of my life,” Jenny says. “It’s where I’ve found my niche.”
Did you know?
Harbour Hospice cares for one in two people who are dying in Warkworth/Wellsford and most Harboutr Hospice care happens in people’s homes. Hospice’s specialist care comes free of charge, thanks to the incredible support of its local community. To find out more about becoming a volunteer email volunteer@harbourhospice.org.nz
This story was first published in the 6 June issue of Mahurangi Matters.
