Dalton taken on final lap of sports field
Hundreds of mourners gathered for the funeral of former Silver Fern netballer Tania Dalton yesterday afternoon.
The 45-year-old died on March 1, after suffering a ruptured internal carotid artery aneurysm six days earlier.
Her memorial service was held at QBE Stadium in Albany on Auckland’s North Shore at 1.26pm - the exact time her life support was turned off on February 28 as well as the date of the birthday of a number of her close family members.
Those attending the service arrived to yellow rose petals scattered on the ground and large photographs of Dalton as well as bouquets, including white hydrangeas and ivy.
Mourners included numerous pupils from local schools, including Carmel College which Dalton attended, as well as netballers Maria Tutaia, former Silver Fern Bernice Mene and former All Black Ian Jones.
Speakers included Mene, Lady Sheryl Wells for Netball NZ, Bernadine Oliver-kerby, Andrea Mcveigh, as well as other friends and family. The service was run by sports commentator Scotty Stevenson.
Her brother, Tony Nicholson, starting the tributes, said Tania got all the sporting genes in the family. He reflected how much she was like their mother, who passed away 12 years ago.
Dave Nicholson said she was a fighter, always sporty and competitive. He believed having three older brothers helped with this.
Long-time friend Helen Hall gave a touching tribute to Dalton, describing being with her as like standing in the sun after a cold winter.
She said to Dalton’s children: ‘‘Your mummy wasn’t like other mummies. She did more, broke the rules more. Being married to your dad (Duane) and being your mummy was the best version of herself that she could be.’’
Duane’s friend, Scott Pritchard, said Tania and Duane were a match made in heaven. ‘‘Duane and T became very close friends before they became life-long partners.’’
She gained approval as a girlfriend for Duane as she was athletic, didn’t mind a party and would dance on tables, he said.
‘‘She was very quickly considered one of the boys. That’s T’s gift, she is able to engage with a range of people and a range of different personalities.’’ Mene also said: ‘‘Tanz filled the room when she entered it.’’
Her love of people was helpful in netball as well as off the court, she said, as she mentored young players. On court, she liked to outwit the opposition.
Mene quoted an old interview with Dalton when she said her favourite quote was ‘‘we’re here for a good time, not a long time’’.
Lady Sheryl Wells, known as Ducky, said Dalton was amazing to coach. ‘‘Her ability and love of all people made her a dream to coach.’’
Bernadine Oliver-kerby, whose children went to the same school as Dalton’s, recalled Dalton as an irreverent person who made everyone feel part of ‘‘team Tarnz’’.
However, Oliver-kerby remembered Dalton as a bit unreliable. ‘‘Never ask T to take your kids home unless they remember because she won’t.’’
Dalton’s three children – Tayla, Charlie and Mattie – each made a humorous and touching tribute to their mum. Husband Duane spoke of his soulmate and bestie.
The memorial ended with everyone being encouraged to sing Sweet Caroline. Her casket made a final lap of honour around the sports field to cheers and applause.
The Dalton family will establish a charitable foundation in Tania’s name, which will support sports training and development for underprivileged children.