Business pioneer dies at 86

Pioneering businesswoman Elspeth Kennedy, who dedicated her later life to improving the care of the terminally ill through hospice services, has died in Nelson.

Nelson Tasman Region Hospice Trust chairman John Peters said Kennedy was a special person and the contribution she made to the hospice was ‘‘enormous’’.

Kennedy was born in Invercargill in 1931 and began her career working for the Invercargill City Council and teaching music.

She had a pioneering career as a stockbroker and served as the director of various companies before turning her considerable energy to improving the care of the terminally ill by developing the Nelson Tasman Hospice.

Peters said Kennedy was the first woman to become a member of the New Zealand stock exchange, and the first woman to run her own broking business.

"For somebody with such a high profile she was a remarkably private person." John Peters, Nelson Tasman Region Hospice Trust chairman

‘‘She certainly had a full and varied business life as well as her subsequent life involved with the hospice,’’ Peters said.

She was appointed a member of the Order of the British Empire in 1990, and in 2003 was named Nelson Mail Nelsonian of the Year.

In 2008, she was made a Companion of the Queen’s Service Order in the New Year honours for her valuable voluntary service to the community.

Peters said it had been Kennedy’s wish, supported by the family, that there be no service or memorials. She has asked that any recognition or messages go to the Nelson Tasman Hospice.

‘‘For somebody with such a high profile she was a remarkably private person.’’

A post on the Nelson Tasman Hospice Facebook page on Wednesday recognised Kennedy’s contribution. ‘‘Our thoughts are with Elspeth’s family and friends.’’