Val Massey, the respected former president of Cambridge Grey Power
Val Massey, whose advocacy for seniors spanned decades – much of that in Cambridge – died in Christchurch last month.
Val moved to Christchurch after enjoying a long association with this town and Cambridge Grey Power. During her years as president with the group, she advocated at government level for changes that would benefit Cambridge’s seniors, and earned enormous respect from her peers in that and other organisations.
In 2017 she polled the then almost 400 members of Cambridge Grey Power to seek their views on proposed changes to national superannuation, and in 2018, led a debate in Cambridge on the use of medicinal cannabis, advocating them to support fully-tested cannabis-based pharmaceuticals to be prescribed to terminally ill patients and those with chronic pain.
When Covid hit, Val regularly called members to ensure they were supported throughout that period, and together with current president Philip Coles, established a network to help with shopping and other tasks.
David Wilson took over the Grey Power presidency from Val about six years ago, and soon afterwards arranged for her to become a life member.
“By then, Val had clocked up 10 years as president, which was an unusually long term,” he said. “She was very efficient, and at one stage was asked to go onto the national board but didn’t want to. She and I had worked together for a long time, covering zone and national meetings.”
David said Val knew how she wanted things run, was well known by everyone and did everything very professionally.
Val was also active in other community groups in Cambridge, including the Red Cross, 60s Up Group and Women’s Fellowship. In the time she lived at Ryman Patrick Hogan village before leaving for Christchurch, she took part in activities and games that appealed to her sharp mind and strategic way of thinking.
Val’s daughter, Beverly Massey-George, said her mother was born in Foxton in 1940. She grew up on her parents’ farm in Te Kiri, attended Opunake High School then worked for the Awatuna Dairy Company and then Newton King in Opunake.
She married Martin Massey in 1964 and together they farmed dairy on the Oeo Rd. Val always enjoyed sports, and played outdoor bowls, cricket, tennis, badminton and golf. Her involvement in community affairs started when her family was young, when she joined the Women’s Division and Country Women’s Institute. She was a very talented knitter and sewer and had a deep love of music and song, playing the piano throughout her life.
After moving from the farm to a lifestyle block in New Plymouth, where Val co-owned and ran a busy café, the couple moved to the Waikato where they enjoyed their grandchildren and travelled widely.
“Val had a great sense of humour,” said Beverly. When she knew her time was limited, she announced that she proposed to die on May 8 as this was the day on which Martin had died.
“She didn’t quite make it, so we felt it was prudent to hold her ‘mourning tea’ in Ōhaupō on May 8.”
Those keen to join in can contact Beverly at beverlymg@xtra.co.nz
Val Massey, the respected former president of Cambridge Grey Power, died last month. Photo: Viv Posselt
