HEMA, Maria Grace

5.12.1975 — 28.05.2023
Kua tahuri te waka o Aotea!
Ko te tai o Hine Ngkau
E whakaraorao mai ana i te mate ohorere
I te tai whakapapa pounamu o Whakaraup
E te tuahine! Ngaro noa koe i raro i te maru o Te Poho o Tamatea Pkai Moana
E hoki ki t rahi ki Te Ptiki Wharanui o Tamatea Pkai Whenua ki Whanganui
E karanga nei mu kia whaia te ara ttika
Te ara o Tawhaki, he ara kai ariki
It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that we share the devastating news of the passing of our dear wife, mother, daughter, and sister, Maria Hema. It is an immeasurable loss that has left our whnau shattered and in deep pain. Maria embraced life with an incredible zest, radiating happiness and putting her best into everything she did. She dedicated her life to her husband Stace and their children Te Ao Marama and Tawera. She is the mokopuna of Nana Mary and Koro Kupuora Jury Turia, Grandma Grace and Grandpa Stan Crump, the beloved eldest child of Richard and Kororia Crump, darling sister to Te Marino and Eru, Paora and Roni, Ata and Kimi, Aunty Maria to 11+ nieces and nephews, and sister-in-law to Glenn Hema Inwood, daughter-in-law to Denise and Barry, and Tony. She is Whaea Maria to her tauira, and niece, cousin, friend and colleague to many. Maria will be lying in state at Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Te Whanau Tahi, 83 Lyttelton Street, Spreydon, from 11.00am on Thursday, June 1. The service will be held at kura on Friday, June 2 at 10.00am, she will be laid to rest at Memorial Park Urupa. Thank you for your love, compassion, and understanding during this profoundly difficult time.