Marie Louise Bennett is the courageous and loving mother of 10 wonderful children. Ranging in age from 29 down to 8. She has devoted her life to bringing up these children to be the best that they can be. Unfortunately, Marie Louise’s time is running out and she will not be around to see them all reach adulthood. Marie Louise was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2011 when her youngest daughter Louisa was 9 months old. After a mastectomy and some harsh treatment Marie Louise’s illness went into remission.
Returning in July last year, it has now devastated her body and Marie Louise is unable to leave the house and has only a few weeks left. Marie Louise has been a flutist and a music teacher and has always been passionate about music. She has brought up her children to be equally passionate. Her very humble wish request to Race4Life Trust has been a luncheon to be shared by her family and close friends at her property in Warkworth on Sunday 9thDecember. Race4life leapt at the chance to help make this wish come true, and with the help of our wonderful caterer and our talented photographer, we hope to make Marie Louise’s day very memorable.
However there is a special addition and surprise to this request. With the help of Race4Life Trust there has been arranged a wonderful String Quartet who are all members of Auckland Philharmonic Orchestra. They are led by Marie-Louise’s brother in law Mark Bennett. They will present a selection of arias with renowned soprano Dr Morag Atchison. Morag has experience singing opera roles around NZ and internationally. She will perform the role of Berta in the 2019 NZ Opera production of Barber of Seville. The luncheon and concert went really well, and Marie Louise and the family had a very memorable occasion.
Marie Louise sadly passed away on the morning of Tuesday 11thDecember.
