‘Many broken hearts’
Givealittle page set up after woman and her daughterin-law die in crash
Loved ones have been left “shattered” and ‘‘profoundly” impacted following the death of a Reporoa woman, who was killed along with her mother-in-law in a crash near Taupō last week, said family friends and former work colleagues.
Jeannine Claire Gwawr Ball, known as Jeannine Ball, 51, of Reporoa, and Lynda Ball, 76, of Taupō, were killed in a two-vehicle crash on Broadlands Rd on January 5.
There was a huge outpouring of grief and warm tributes to the two women from shocked friends and associates, including a representative from Lynda’s former employer and others connected to the Ball whānau.
Adith Almeida, the general manager at Millennium Hotel & Resort Manuels Taupō, where Lynda Ball worked for 24 years, described the former colleague as a “cherished part of the Manuels family”.
Almeida said in a written statement the news of the two tragic deaths had “deeply affected” everyone at Resort Manuels Taupō.
“It is a profound loss, not only for our team but for the wider community. We have seen numerous tributes on social media, reflecting the incredible person Lynda was and the positive influence she had on those around her.
“Lynda served in our Food and Beverage department with unwavering dedication. For 24 remarkable years, her expertise, dedication, and warm personality greatly contributed to the success and the ambience of our hotel.”
Almeida said Lynda’s “exceptional” ability to connect with guests and staff was ‘‘unparalleled’' and enriched the establishment immeasurably.
“As we mourn, we also celebrate the legacy Lynda leaves behind - a legacy of kindness, excellence, and an unwavering commitment to her profession and colleagues.
“We at Millennium Hotel & Resort Manuels Taupō stand in solidarity with everyone mourning this immense loss. We are committed to honouring Lynda’s legacy in the best way we know - by continuing to uphold the values and standards she exemplified during her time with us,” Almeida said.
A page on the fundraising platform Givealittle was set up by a family friend who described Jeannine as “an incredible woman with a big heart, who was loved by many and has left many broken hearts behind.
“We are all shattered by the sudden loss of the beloved Jeannine Ball.
“This page has been created to hopefully help relieve some financial strain during this hard time. This family not only lost 1 but 2 family members in this accident.”
The page was described as being set up for friends, family and loved ones who wished to give a koha to the bereaved family and would help assist the family financially with the funeral service and associated costs.
The Ball family has been approached for comment.
Notices published on the Taupō Funeral Services Facebook page for both women said funerals were held on Saturday in Taupō.
Both women were described as cherished wives, sisters, mothers and grandmothers who were “tragically taken” from their family and friends.
Jeannine’s notice said she was originally from North Wales.
The circumstances of the crash remain under investigation, police said in a statement.
“Our inquiries have shown that one of the cars involved in the crash was travelling in a line of several vehicles,” Taupō road policing manager Senior Sergeant Jason Henderson said at the time of the incident.
“The drivers or occupants of those vehicles may not have been aware of the collision but may have crucial information that could assist police.
“So far we have spoken with the occupant of one of the vehicles and would like to hear from the others in the line of traffic or anyone who was travelling on Broadlands Rd, near White Rd and the PermaPine timber mill, about this time.”
For drivers unfamiliar with the area, Henderson said it had several distinctive signs for Landcorp and Wairakei Estate on the roadside. Anyone with information was asked to contact police via 105, by phone or online at 105.police.govt.nz
We have seen numerous tributes on social media, reflecting the incredible person Lynda was and the positive influence she had on those around her. Adith Almeida, the general manager at Millennium Hotel & Resort Manuels Taupō