Ellwood an ‘absolute angel’
A woman whose body was found in a boarding house was well-known in Auckland’s fashion scene, with the industry shocked to hear of her death.
It’s not yet clear how Tania Ellwood, a 39-year-old from the upmarket suburb of Remuera, came to die in a shabby boarding lodge better known as a halfway house for drug addicts.
Ellwood was described as an assistant manager in the electoral roll and she worked with high-profile brands including Charlie Brown, French Connection, and the Smith and Caughey department stores.
Franky Burns, who employed Ellwood at Charlie Brown, described her as an ‘‘absolute angel’’.
‘‘She was just beautiful, caring, bright, bubbly. She always came into work with a big smile on her face. She was just so genuine, it was absolutely gorgeous.’’
Burns said Ellwood loved her family and talked about them often.
Hearing about her death was a ‘‘hell of a shock’’, she said.
‘‘I looked at the photo in the paper and just about screamed.’’
Ellwood was highly creative, and knew instinctively how to style and connect with customers, Burns said.
‘‘She had her own unique look and it was always different – very chic. She could turn you around, look you up and down and say ‘that’s not actually right for you, this is what you need’, but in a gentle way.’’
Ellwood was also a talented sewer. Burns remembered, at one stage, bringing in a Sherlock Holmes-type coat for her dog which was too small.
‘‘She took a look at it and said ‘I can make that for you’. She went off and bought the material and made my dog the exact same coat.
‘‘I couldn’t believe it – I didn’t even know she sewed. But she did, and it was amazing.’’
Burns said the 39-year-old was also hugely empathetic and kind.
‘‘I remember personally I’d had a bad day and it was her day off, and she just happened to walk in, saw I was having a moment, and she said ‘Franky, let me get you a coffee’. She came back with a coffee and a huge hug.
‘‘There’s another little angel up there in heaven; there’s another little star.’’
Newmarket retailer Irina Ward said Ellwood was ‘‘very well-known’’ in the suburb’s retail community.
‘‘She was very friendly, bubbly and very professional,’’ Ward said.
Huge numbers of managers and workers in the sector were mourning her passing, she said.
‘‘Everybody was upset, devastated and shocked. We feel very sad for this lovely young lady.’’
The only familu tribute has been from sister Katrina Ellwood, who posted on Facebook she would miss her ‘‘beautiful sis’’ every single day.