Jenny King — An inspiration to many
In February Jenny King moved into an assisted living facility. In her 93rd year and in poor health, the relocation would not have come easy for one accustomed to an independent lifestyle. A woman who had always been strong for others took some convincing to receive help herself, yet it was not in her character to complain.
The manager of the home had a fourteen-year-old daughter, a girl who was encouraged to visit the residents. This task was more duty than passion but with Jenny the young lady struck up an instant rapport. Whilst Ms King had once been a school teacher, the nature of this relationship, the last new friendship of her long and rich life, was one of equals. The pair would talk daily, often for hours on end. They shared a love of books, of music and Maori culture. Jenny was genuinely interested in the goings-on at the girl’s school. She was open-minded and non-judgmental. Nothing was off limits. Once, the topic of conversation was ‘‘smoking weed’’.
In her professional field, few made as long or as significant a contribution to the Waikato or indeed New Zealand, as Jenny King. Of equal importance was her capacity to love, support and truly understand others. Kind, inspirational, generous, intelligent, fun, comical, intimate and ‘‘always just incredibly good to be around’’, she was the most empathic of friends to so many.
Jeanette King was born on February 14, 1929 in Epsom, Auckland, to Robert
King, a solicitor and barrister and Dorothy Emily King (nee Pudney), a stenographer. She had a younger sister, Roberta.
Jenny received her secondary school education at St Cuthbert’s College, Auckland. Studying science at Auckland University, she was a formidable presence on campus, described by one contemporary as a ‘‘small, vivacious, extremely bossy person who knew absolutely everyone’’.
Completing a BSC, Jenny went on to study medicine at Otago University but when her mother became ill she was called home. Following Dorothy’s death, Jenny’s academic focus shifted to the arts and library studies. She completed a BA and received a diploma from the New Zealand Library School in 1953.
From 1954 to 1957 Jenny was employed at King’s College in Otahuhu. Aside from being the school’s librarian she taught chemistry and other subjects. Always stylishly attired, she was an inspirational teacher whose informality outside the classroom extended to permitting students to call her by her first name. She possessed an educator’s greatest skill: the ability to instil her passion for her field in others. Her influence on one future professor of chemistry was life changing, informing his entire career.
In 1959 Jenny became head of lending services at Auckland University. She ran the Circulation Department with a ‘‘rod of iron’’, instilling respect in all would-be student transgressors.
In 1964 Jenny was appointed the University Librarian at the University of Waikato, at a time when the institution was still a branch of Auckland University. She held the position for the following three decades. Under her guidance, the library grew from a small collection of a ‘‘couple of hundred books and a handful of staff’’ to one which housed 710,000 volumes valued at $85 million, including specialist branches in education and law, with 74 full time or part-time employees.
The establishment of a New Zealand collection was a particular focus of Jenny’s. She combed second-hand catalogues, bid at auctions, personally attended sales and solicited donations. Always a ‘hands-on’ librarian, when it came time for the annual summer relocation of books and periodicals, as the library expanded from Block A into adjacent temporary buildings and then, ultimately into a stand alone facility in January of 1977, Jenny led from the front, doing as much physical work as the next person.
Jenny assisted in the establishment of the Waikato Branch of the New Zealand Library Association now known as LIANZA. She played an active part in coordinating library services across the Waikato.
In 1995, the year following her retirement, Waikato University conferred an Honorary Doctorate on Jenny, in recognition of 30 years of service.
Jenny was a keen follower of the national game, having been engaged to
All Black Desmond Oliver in the early 1950s. She was deeply interested in a diverse array of topics including the study of food, anthropology, Maoritanga and the fight against racial inequality. She actively demonstrated against the 1981 Springbok tour.
Jenny was a leading voice on the University staff supporting equal opportunity for women. She strongly supported the arts and culture and was a devoted dog lover, giving many hours of her time to helping friends and neighbours care for their canines. She was a staunch advocate for the support of guide dogs for the blind and sponsored her beloved puppy ‘‘Honey’’ through her training. She was a great friend of many of New Zealand leading academics who taught Maori language and culture, including the late author Michael King. Although not related, they called each other ‘‘cuzzie’’. She gave many hours of service to other academics, assisting with manuscripts and personal libraries.
In keeping with her profession, Jenny was a voracious reader and collector of books, whose tastes extended from Shakespeare to Footrot Flats and much beyond, in every conceivable direction. A baker of world class chocolate chip biscuits, she enjoyed parties and dressing up, had a refined sartorial sense and an impeccable memory for names, dates and the observance of anniversaries. Her grace and dignity were matched by a quiet strength and courage yet she also was prone to the odd vice. During last year’s lockdown Jenny was known to venture out to Chartwell for cigarettes and magnum ice creams.
Jeanette King died on May 10. She is survived by a niece and a nephew, two grandsons and hundreds of devoted friends.
A Life Story tells of a New Zealander who helped to shape the Waikato community. If you know of someone whose story should be told, please email rj.swainson@gmail.com