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Hawe, Leta
Full NameHAWE, Rev Hannah Letitia (Sr Leta)
Date of Birth16 December 1925Date of Death15 January 2002Biography
Came to New Zealand as an infant, settling in the Waikato.
Attended Waharoa Primary School, Matamata Intermediate School and Matamata High School. Returned to help at home on the farm after completing her 6th form year.
Taught in Sunday School and in the Bible in Schools programme, played the Church organ, arranged the Church flowers, attended PWMU meetings, participated in Bible Class, and held a number of offices in the Waikato East Bible Class District Committee, culminating in the position of Young Women’s President.
Deaconess College, Dunedin 1952-1954
in the USA to attend courses.
While at Wanganui she was accepted as a radio presenter for the Sunday night ‘Evening Devotions’ programme. Board member of the YMCA and later President, served a term as President of the Wanganui Presbyterial, National President of the Deaconess Association (representing the Association at Conferences in the USA and Germany), Moderator of Christchurch Presbytery.
She shared in working towards the ordination of women to the Ministry of Word and Sacrament and to the decision of the General Assembly that as the ministry was now open to women that the church cease recruiting women for the Deaconess Order.
Developed an interest in the Hospice Movement at Burwood and this became her priority interest in Wanganui where she retired.
“Leta often marvelled that God would choose to call a quiet country girl into service and give her such an enriching ministry.” (from Obit.)
Date of Birth16 December 1925Date of Death15 January 2002Biography- born 16 December 1925 at County Cavan, Ireland.
- died 15 January 2002 at the Home of Compassion, Wanganui, after a long illness.
Came to New Zealand as an infant, settling in the Waikato.
Attended Waharoa Primary School, Matamata Intermediate School and Matamata High School. Returned to help at home on the farm after completing her 6th form year.
Taught in Sunday School and in the Bible in Schools programme, played the Church organ, arranged the Church flowers, attended PWMU meetings, participated in Bible Class, and held a number of offices in the Waikato East Bible Class District Committee, culminating in the position of Young Women’s President.
Deaconess College, Dunedin 1952-1954
- Ordained Deaconess at St Pauls, Wanganui 3.2.1955
- Deaconess Khandallah, Wellington 29 May 1970
- Ordained Minister Khandallah, Wellington 23 April 1975
- Burwood United / St Kentigerns, Christchurch 6 July 1978 — retired 17 December 1990
in the USA to attend courses.
While at Wanganui she was accepted as a radio presenter for the Sunday night ‘Evening Devotions’ programme. Board member of the YMCA and later President, served a term as President of the Wanganui Presbyterial, National President of the Deaconess Association (representing the Association at Conferences in the USA and Germany), Moderator of Christchurch Presbytery.
She shared in working towards the ordination of women to the Ministry of Word and Sacrament and to the decision of the General Assembly that as the ministry was now open to women that the church cease recruiting women for the Deaconess Order.
Developed an interest in the Hospice Movement at Burwood and this became her priority interest in Wanganui where she retired.
“Leta often marvelled that God would choose to call a quiet country girl into service and give her such an enriching ministry.” (from Obit.)
Hawe, Leta. Presbyterian Research Centre, accessed 15/01/2026, https://pcanzarchives.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/112763
