We are saddened to announce the passing in January 2023 of long-term Cognosco employee Elizabeth Blythe after a short but bravely fought battle with an inoperable brain tumour. She was lovingly cared for in her final months by her sister Katherine, who travelled from her home in USA to be with her. Elizabeth will be missed by many people around the world – her friends, colleagues and family, including her parents Monica and David Blythe and good friends Elizabeth and Jamie who visited here from the UK in October and shared a special birthday celebration with Elizabeth and her kiwi friends.

We are sure many Anexa farmers and farm staff who have worked with Elizabeth over the years will also miss her cheery smile and cheeky laugh.

Elizabeth completed her studies in Agriculture in her native England, where she then worked as a technician for more than 10 years before moving to New Zealand. Upon moving to the Southern Hemisphere, she initially worked as a relief milker and then farm manager with Marvin Farms, before joining Cognosco in 2004 as a large animal research technician. She then spent five years working with AgResearch before re-joining Cognosco in 2012, where she was promoted to senior technician in 2018.

Elizabeth’s happy place was out on farm, working with animals. She cared deeply about the animals she worked with and was always looking to get the best outcome for them. She also cared about the farmers and other people she worked with. She was kind, considerate and always wanted to help make things work.

 

Elizabeth had a quiet and sly sense of humour and could tease in a gentle way.  She had a sweet tooth and a good supply of chocolate was always tucked away for ‘emergencies’ during research studies. She was perhaps a little relaxed with where she parked her ute though, with it going walkabout a number of times.

When not working, Elizabeth enjoyed her walks in the bush and her half marathons – they became a good excuse to explore more of New Zealand.

Elizabeth didn’t want a funeral. So following discussion with family and friends the plan is to plant native trees on the Ed Hillary Hope Reserve near Waitetuna. The Native Forest Restoration Trust owns this 460 hectare block which has a QE2 covenant on it. There is remnant bush, but part of the reserve requires restoration with native plantings. We feel this reflects Elizabeth’s wishes and will ensure her legacy will live on. We are also hoping to raise enough funds to place a memorial park bench below the waterfall on the Waitakaruru stream behind the Morrinsville Recreation Reserve.

A givealittle page (hyperlink and QR code below) has been established for those who would like to contribute in memory of Elizabeth.

https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/native-tree-planting-and-creation-of-a-memorial

Elizabeth is sadly missed by the Anexa team