Barbara Ann Sawyer: 16/11/1940 - 15/05/2007
“I think the lolly jar was a lot like your life - always putting more in than you ever took out. Who indeed is going to fill life’s lolly jars now?” Vaughan Mead - online tribute
Love was the cornerstone of Barbara Sawyer’s life. She loved life, she loved people.
Barbara, will be remembered for her kindness, generosity and loyalty. She was a caring, thoughtful woman who loved a bit of fun and a gossip over the teacups.
Barbara was “The Lolly Lady” of Kilbirnie Police station. She was well known for her welcoming smile and generous hospitality. Her bottomless lolly jar was legendary, as were her morning and afternoon teas. Officers would often find excuses to pop into Kilbirnie station if they knew Barbara was on tea duty.
She was a good listener and the first to offer support to anyone experiencing a bad day - including people detained in the cells. She was fond of children and kept track of many birthdays. She was generous with gifts and cards. Her desk was crowded with photographs of the children of Police officers.
Barbara Ann Sawyer was born in Gisborne on November 16, 1940. Her parents, Brigadier George and his wife Ann Sawyer were Salvation Army officers and were stationed in the area at the time. Barbara embraced the cause and was proud to be a “Sallie.”
The family moved home several times during Barbara’s childhood. Her sister Aileen, was born a little over a year later in Auckland. Barbara completed high school in Christchurch and took a job with the Government Printing office. She transferred to Wellington when her parents shifted to the city. She then moved from the printing office to The National Bank.
A position in reservations at National Airways Corporation, which later merged with Air New Zealand, was the start of her 21-year career in the airline industry. Jill Craig, now a police dispatcher at Wellington Central, first met Barbara at NAC and they often took advantage of cheap flights to explore the world.
“One of her biggest disappointments was being made redundant from Air New Zealand,” Ms Craig says.
Barbara soon found a position with the police. She worked in the records and intelligence section at Wellington Central and then at Johnsonville and Kilbirnie watch houses. Her loyalty is demonstrated in a service record, as a non-sworn employee, of almost 17 years.
Barbara was an avid supporter of IPA having joined when she started working for the police.
Barbara’s job was her life. When she wasn’t working she was helping people, or trying to do both at the same time, Ms Craig says. She was a very social and worldly-wise person. She loved music, especially brass bands and the symphony orchestra.
About a month before her death Barbara learned she had bowel cancer. An operation was arranged for early June. However, she was suddenly admitted to Wellington hospital on May 13 for an operation to remove a blood clot on her lung. Barbara died, aged 66, on May 15 2007.
She is survived by her sister, Aileen.
Barbara once expressed a concern to Ms Craig that only four people would turn up to her funeral. However the mourners at her service, which took place on May 18 2007 were so numerous that many spilled out into the street at the Wellington South Salvation Army citadel in Newtown. Her service was followed by a private cremation.
Tributes to Barbara Sawyer can be viewed at tributes.co.nz.
Barbara Sawyer - “The Lolly Lady” of Kilbirnie Police station