Wairarapa ties rekindled

Amie Hickland | Tuesday, July 12, 2011 12:00

Delighted: Kathleen Brough, nee Littlejohn, has been reunited with her childhood friend and long lost family after an article was published in the Wairarapa Times-Age.

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In an unexpected twist of fate, a woman has found both her childhood friend and her long lost family.

Kathleen Brough, nee Littlejohn, was being sought by Jenny Philips - a Canadian woman she went to school with in Nelson during the 1940s.

Mrs Philips described the two as "best friends" and said they had a "once-in-a-lifetime" friendship.

They lost contact after Kathleen Littlejohn moved away from the boarding school. Mrs Philips has been hoping to make contact with her since being diagnosed with terminal cancer.

She contacted the Wairarapa Times-Age under the impression Mrs Brough may have moved to Masterton.

Although this was not correct, Wairarapa woman Alison Priddle recognised the name in an article published in the Wairarapa Times-Age last Friday that told of the Canadian woman's desire to be reunited with her childhood friend. Then she did some detective work of her own.

Mrs Priddle managed to trace her family tree, to discover she and Mrs Brough are first cousins.

They have never met because Mrs Brough's mother died when she was young, and she never knew that side of the family.

Mrs Brough, who is living in Matamata, is "overwhelmed" by her new connections.

"I'm very excited about it all," she said.

She was happy to hear about her family and plans to find out as much as she can.

"She turns out to be my cousin, which I never knew I had," she said.

Mrs Brough is also excited to hear from her childhood friend. "Jenny was a very, very special friend of mine."

The 75-year-old has kept a small photograph of Mrs Philips over the years and has always hoped to get in contact with her.

"It's amazing she's managed to track me down," she said.

Mrs Philips, who lives in Vancouver, said it was wonderful to hear news of her childhood friend. "I'm dying to hear from her."

Both women plan to communicate through email and over the phone then take it from there.

"I'm so happy she's still contactable," said Mrs Philips.