Jean Fuller
6 September 1934 – 5 March 2024

Born in Auckland, Jean grew up on a farm in Tuakau. Attending Auckland University, Jean graduated with an MA in English then taught at Hamilton Girl’s High School. With her husband Geoff, Jean settled in Karori where they had two boys. Once they had grown up, Jean returned to the workforce. Jean embraced computer technology at a time when most people didn’t want to know how to use them, learning computer programming in her early 50s and worked as a database/computer management assistant at the US Information Service from 1988-1999. She always shared her technical ability and knowledge with others, supporting her husband in the writing of legal texts and maintaining the online access to them.

Jean held a number of roles with the NZ Federation of Graduate Women, including National Secretary, Wellington newsletter editor, and supporting academic dress. She joined Parliamentary Watch Committee (PWC) in 2004, convening it from 2010-2014. In this role she provided training to NCWNZ’s Standing Committee Conveners and Board Members. Jean documented processes in a user-friendly manner, to ensure everyone understood everything. Her notes are still used today. Jean was superb at managing the interface between NCWNZ and Parliament, ensuring high quality submissions were presented on behalf of women.

Jean represented NCWNZ at Parliamentary Conferences and consultations with visiting MPs from Queensland and Bougainville. She was instrumental in NCWNZ’s campaign on retirement income, holding meetings with MPs from all political parties to present the issues women have achieving equity in retirement income.

Jean is remembered as:

• a woman of principle
• a lovely, gentle person, very astute, and measured of temperament
• a real stalwart of PWC and NCWNZ
• definitely one of the giants on whose shoulders we stand today
• a very knowledgeable lady who willingly shared her wisdom
• an intense, knowledgeable and passionate woman.
• an incredible mentor and inspiring leader who was enthusiastic about the development of women
• a quiet unassuming person with a rapier mind.
• someone who fostered emergent leadership
• being inspirational, enthusing people about their ability to make a change – encouraging people to want to make a difference.
• strong, determined, kind, patient.

Her years of service, commitment and institutional knowledge will be missed.

Moe mai rā, e kuia.

To read more articles from The Circular (March-April 2024) issue 646, click on the tag below.