Long-time Luggate resident Cec Anderson was farewelled by family and friends last month, after a long illness.

More than 300 people attended her funeral at the Upper Clutha Presbyterian Church on January 27, and almost 500 people have watched it online - testament to Cec’s generosity and popularity.

“She was an amazing person and she gave a lot back to the community and her friends,” her friend Jill Taylor told the Wanaka App.

Cec was described as “always giving”, and great fun. 

Born in Oamaru in 1953, she moved to Wanaka as a young woman. She married Rod Anderson in 1972 and they moved to Luggate, where they have lived ever since.

Cec and Rod had four children, and later four grandchildren, whom Cec was very involved with.

Cec loved horses and was involved in rodeo.

Cec worked as a landgirl, a rousie, in the office at Luggate Timber, and as a real estate agent.

She was very involved in the shearing industry and rodeo.

“She loved rodeo and was involved over many years,” Cec’s friend Helen McCarthy said. “She volunteered as a timer and travelled around the country.”

As part of her varied volunteering, Cec also dedicated a lot of time to the Upper Clutha community. She was on the Luggate Community Association, and was a founding member of the Alpha Club, including some time as president.

She coordinated the Luggate Community Association planting initiative, which encouraged people to plant - and water - trees along Luggate Creek.

Cec was also the driving force behind planting daffodils along the Luggate Creek, and she was a great flower gardener, Rod said. She loved the mountains and lakes in the area.

Because of Cec’s love of pearls, people were asked to wear pearls to her funeral.

“It was surprising how many did,” Rod said.

Rod said he and his family have received hundreds of messages from people who remembered Cec fondly.

PHOTOS: Supplied