Joan Ellis
Joan Ellis (Te Atiawa, Ngati Kahungunu) was an historian and author. She was a foundation member of the Trust. Educated at Sacred Heart College Lower Hutt Joan has worked as an Office Administrator and, Restaurateur. She studied weaving in UK, designing and creating a collection of colourful wall hangings and rugs in the 70's and 80's.
In 1993 Joan began researching the history of the WWII period when the US Marines were stationed in Wellington from 1942-1943. This culminated in the production of two books A String of Pearls and Follow Me Back in Time - documenting stories from veteran Marines and New Zealanders.
In April 2014, Joan was awarded life membership. Presenting her award, Trust Chair Jenny Rowan acknowledged Joan as a “touchstone for the Trust and its work.”
Joan celebrated her 90th birthday in February 2014. The visit of six Veterans to Wellington was a perfect time for the Trust to celebrate her contribution with a birthday dinner at the Wellesley Boutique Hotel. What better company than a number of men she’d already written about and what better decoration for her birthday cake than a string of icing pearls!
Joan accompanied the veterans throughout their three-day visit to Paekākāriki and Wellington.
Joan passed away peacefully in her 97th year on November 11th 2020.
