Sudden death shocks family
Support has flooded in for the family of a well-known and muchloved Palmerston North woman who died suddenly, leaving behind two young daughters.
Kirsty Dingley died on May 3, aged just 38, after suffering a heart attack.
She was heavily involved in the Marist Football Club and was farewelled in front of more than 750 mourners on Monday.
People had been supporting the family in many different ways since her sudden death and husband Alan Dingley said he could not thank them enough.
‘‘It doesn’t matter how small it is, it means something, so it’s been amazing.’’
Alan Dingley said his wife had a history of heart complications and had a pacemaker, but was in great health recently.
The death came as a shock, while the outpouring of assistance since had touched the family.
‘‘We have had the best case of a worse-case scenario.
‘‘It was so sudden and the support and the things people have done are mind-blowing.’’
Alan Dingley said his wife was an amazing mother to their two daughters, aged 7 and 5.
He met Kirsty through the Marist Football Club, with her knee-high leather boots immediately catching his eye.
Alan Dingley proposed while performing onstage at the Centrepoint Theatre and the pair were married in 2006.
Kirsty was an amazing mother and a fiercely competitive football player; everything she did she gave her all, Alan Dingley said.
‘‘She didn’t realise the impact she had on people, I think.’’
This impact was widespread and obvious at her packed funeral.
Alan Dingley said his wife was unflinching on the sports field and played football for Marist for many years.
Her death meant he now had to try and create a new normal in his life. ‘‘It’s making sure the girls are looked after, that’s the No 1 priority.
‘‘Making sure they are as happy and healthy as they can be and then looking after myself so they have the best dad they can have as well.’’
A Givealittle page had been set up for the family and Alan Dingley said the money it raised would all be used to make sure the girls grew up into women as amazing as their mum.
On Wednesday afternoon, more than 100 people had donated almost $12,000 to the appeal.
The page was started by family friends and it describes Kirsty as a woman whose passion and enthusiasm was evident in everything she did. ‘‘[She was] an amazing woman, devoted mum, loving wife and loyal friend. We are heartbroken at her passing,’’ the page says.
‘‘Kirsty was fiercely competitive on the football field, but once off, was a generous, fun-loving, warm-hearted person who always put others first.
‘‘The Dingley family are a shining example of the power of love and laughter and we are all better people for having had Kirsty in our lives, albeit not long enough.’’
All 17 Marist football teams held a minute’s silence before their games last weekend.