"I cannot tell you how much pride we all have as grandkids when speaking to people who have had a life changing experience at El Rancho because of Mr & Mrs Baker. As kids we didn’t fully appreciate how huge their ministry at camp was – we all thought that camp and especially Nan + Poppa’s world revolved around us. Even now I still don't think we have truly realise the impact it has been for the Kingdom of God.

Nan always showed us grandkids a God that was not imprisoned by the constraints of religion but a God that you journeyed everyday life. A God who engaged people in love, a God who was cheeky, a God that was present. It speaks volumes that a lot of us grandkids were lead to Jesus by Nan, she loved with a love that could only come from the throne room of Heaven.

Nan’s life's work will continue to grow beyond her lifetime. Leaving a legacy of lives that have impacted who in turn have and will, go on to impact the lives of others. That's a legacy that we get to share in and count it as an honour to be their grandkids and great grandkids.
Before Nan passed, she gave me all of the sermons she had written over her many years of ministry, and in this box of wisdom I found this poem hand written on the back of an envelope:

“The Light of God, surrounds me
The Love of God, enfolds me
The Power of God, protects me
The Presence of God, watches over me
Wherever I am, God is.”

Nan we love you, we cherished your love for us and we are grateful we were all your favourites."

I, Shirley thank my Lord for my salvation, giving me new life in Jesus. Jesus has been with me in my life and I am thankful for His guidance blessing and enrichment, which has made life worth living.

My husband John is my soul mate – how I thank God for him. John has supported me in every way, through my health and often weakness. We have been a team and I have had the blessing to be part of our unique friendship. Thank you John for being a helpmate to me – I love you - and am so thankful for our life together for more than 57 years!

To my children and our extended family – thank you for your love and support.

My special grand and great grandchildren you are so precious.

Grow to love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind and strength and seek His guidance in your lives. You mean so much to me.

To my friends - thank you! You have added such a dimension to my life and I am thankful for each one of you.

Stay always within the boundaries where God’s love can reach and bless you. Wait patiently for the eternal life that our Lord Jesus Christ in his mercy is going to give you. (Jude 21)

I would like to pay tribute to Mum – for the role she played in our lives as our Mum - but also for the influence  – which I don’t think she ever fully realised she had - in so many other lives.   I know Mum thought of herself as ordinary, but Mum‘s faith in Jesus and her passion for people, led her to live a life less ordinary. A life that deeply impacted many people. And in eternity I think she may be sweetly surprised by that.

On this mother’s day just gone - I was thanking her – this last time - for being my Mum,     and thanking her - that who she was, and how she had lived her life, her faith .....  all rolled up together  - had been so formative in who I was , and how I lived my life.

I told her I had come across this quote  -

Life doesn’t come with a manual, it comes with a mother  ... and she laughed. 

Mum’s - so influence who we are, and who we become; they guide us and support us, and in turn we do the same for those around us...  and then...for our children... and later our children’s children

Billy Graham  said -The greatest legacy one can pass on to one’s children and grandchildren - is not money or other material things accumulated in one’s life, but rather a legacy of character and faith.

A couple of weeks before Mum died, Sue and I sat together with her on her bed. She wanted us to have some of her jewellery, and talked about the stories that went with some of the pieces. Mum’s jewellery wasn’t expensive - but valuable for totally other precious and sentimental reasons. These are lovely treasures to have because they remind us of her - but what Mum leaves us is much more  ... a legacy of character and faith.

The grandchildren say - as kids, they didn’t know how big Nan and Pops were – the beautiful thing was – they - Nan and Pops didn’t know either! 

They didn’t realise how far their influence stretched.

They were never grandiose, nor set about building something that was about them,   but God went about building His kingdom.  This is what Mum wrote about her life at camp – ‘What a blessing knowing that God had called us into this ministry, and He blessed it.’

The true value of Mum’s life is not in what she leaves behind, not even in what she has done, nor the treasure of the memories of who she was -

The ultimate significance of her life will be seen in the values, commitments and beliefs - that ripple from her to us - and from us into the generations that follow – that is inheritance  -  an inspiring legacy

We are very grateful

Thanks Mum - for the legacy

And Dad: I want to thank you - and pay tribute to you - for way you have cared for Mum these last few years. Mum’s health burden has been a tough one for you both.  I know - you didn’t even consider it hard to do so, but your faithfulness, and the grace and excellence with which you cared for Mum was a wonderful demonstration of both your love for her, and your lovely servant heart.

Shona – I want to particularly thank you for your wonderful care of Mum in her last month – you gave Mum a precious gift giving her the opportunity to die at home, as she wished.  For Dad and us all as a family – it gave us precious, valuable time with Mum - at home  - where we could honour and farewell her in the way she wanted. For me, it was a real privilege to care for Mum with you in these last weeks.

Thanks family, especially Amy and Reg  - and Lee, Peter, Helen and Nat, for the all the touches that have made today’s celebration of Mums life so special. Mum had planned a lot of the concepts for today – because she could!

The day we found out that Mum had cancer – Dad came out of the chemist having copied this quote –

‘The more you praise and celebrate life, the more there is to praise and celebrate.’

Mum wanted the way she had lived life, to be the way she approached her last months and wanted this way of living to be reflected in our celebration of her life today.  So she chose things that reflected that – wanting us to smile and celebrate with her.

Mum wanted an aqua coloured casket – this colour is called ‘morning glory ‘– it just seemed - pretty apt. In her last weeks, she was looking ahead and getting ready for glory. Mum had a real peace – knowing her life, now, as it always had been was in God’s hands. The words of this song have been constantly on my mind this week and they reflect our journey

Higher than the mountains that I face
Stronger than the power of the grave
Constant in the trial and the change
One thing… Remains

Your lour love never fails. It never gives up.
Never runs out on me.

On and on and on and on it goes
It overwhelms and satisfies my soul
And I never, ever, have to be afraid
One thing remains

Your love never fails, never gives up
Never runs out on me

So Mum we have followed the script – well mostly! With a little innovation! We have - celebrated you, celebrated life, and celebrated the God you lived for.

Dad your companionship with Mum, and hers with you, was something that always stood out - you two really where a team – and so many people have commented how hard it is to pay tribute to Shirley without paying tribute to John  - for you were ‘John and Shirley’

So it seems really fitting that of the 2 hymns Mum chose for today – the first was her favourite, and the second she chose because it was your favourite.

And as the words say - for Mum death has given way to victory – she is right now with Jesus – her Lord and Saviour – who she loved.

The family and I, very much appreciate those who have paid tribute to Shirley on the tribute page, with cards and personally. Thank you for high- lighting the many ways Shirley has impacted your lives.

The top of the list of gifts Shirley has shared with so many of you; is her smile. That is what captivated me 60 years ago when we first met.

Shirley was natural and fun-loving, and her friendliness was warm and genuine.  Shirley loved people. Her genuine care for people was such that those she met would feel truly valued and loved. She had the ability to identify with those in need and nurture them.

We both felt called to serve our Lord as teenagers and He has directed our path, along the journey. The years we worked together were so fulfilling – it never really seemed like work!

I so admired Shirley’s bravery and courage. Her asthma at times was debilitating. Not long after we arrived in Waikanae – her doctor told Shirley that she should consider moving somewhere else for her health’s sake.  Shirley said that God had called her here. Doctor Frater replied “Who am to argue with God then.” 

Her bravery and courage has shown in these latter years as she battled with her own injuries and illness and my Parkinson’s.

The joy of the lord has been our strength. We walked together through those days with love remembered, and love renewed.

Personally to me, Shirley was my best friend, and our teamwork and communication allowed our hearts to beat as one – she would say.

I’m so thankful to God that he gave me this beautiful, godly woman to share this life with, to love and nurture our family, and to enjoy the richness of friends.

Thank you Shirley for the journey, and the memories along the way.

I love you and miss you

John

On the 15th October 1937 a special baby, Shirley Ann Springer, was born to older parents Reginald and Annie.  Often affectionately called Shirley-Ann, or Shirl-my-girl.  She was a very tiny baby –and fitted in a shoebox when she first came home. Mum’s brother Mervyn was 14 and sister Joyce 12 and they doted on her.

Since she was 2 Mum suffered with asthma and this has been a major health challenge in her life, particularly when she was a child as there was not much in the way of medication back then.

After Mum’s brother and sister married she was like an only child, and life was fairly quiet.

She was very close to her sister and used to spend alot of time at their place with their three young boys - an hour’s bike ride from their home.  Joyce was like a second Mum to her.  Sadly Mum’s Mum Annie died when Mum was only 23 and her sister Joyce died 8 years later.

Mum’s Mother and Father only attended church very occasionally. But Mum was brought up to attend Sunday School and encouraged to follow Christian principles in her life. During her childhood her Father would often play the piano and they would sing old hymns together.

In Mum’s first year at secondary school they moved to Motueka for a year where her Dad had seasonal work.  They returned to Wanganui the following year and Mum went to Wanganui Girls College.

Mum started attending Bible Class at Wanganui Central Baptist. She had her first Camp experience at a Easter Camp at Carterton Show Grounds.

At the age of 13, she asked Jesus into her life, Mum writes:

“After praying and signing the little card I walked out on the grass at the Show Grounds and felt as though I was walking 6 feet off the ground a great weight had been lifted off me. I was not the same anymore. A new life had begun!”

Mum had dreams for a further education but had to leave school at the age of 15. Mum’s Father had bought a dairy and when he became sick he needed her to run the shop. When he was well again Mum worked in a Solicitors Office, then joined her friend Margaret in the Bursars Office at Wanganui Collegiate School.

Though they were born in the same hospital, lived in the same suburb and attended the same primary school – 2years apart, Dad didn’t become part of Mum’s life until their Bible Class days.

When they first dated, Dad would pick Mum up for dates on his bicycle and Mum would sit on the handlebars,

They married on January the 10th 1959

These were the days when you toasted the Queen and sang the National anthem at the beginning of your wedding Reception.

Dad built their first home in Gonville Wanganui, their lives became busy with three children and lots of involvement with the church youth.  

Life was good, Dad was working with his father in his Chemist shop and had plans to train as a pharmacist and take over the family business. But in the Christmas Holidays, Mum stayed on camping with us kids, while Dad went back to work. While apart God challenged each of them about going into fulltime Christian work. With this directive Dad gave 3 months notice to his father, and they put their up for sale; still not sure what they would do. But God lead and opened opportunities. They were interviewed and accepted as Camp Directors at Waikanae Christian Holiday Park. Then the next day, they won a Pharmacy window dressing competition.  The prize was a trip to Australia, during those 3 weeks their eyes were opened to the potential of Christian Camping.

In 1967, Mum and Dad with their young family began this new adventure. Initially appointed for 5 years they served at El Rancho for 32 years.

Mum was incredibly hospitable and generous. We always had an open home, (more like a train station!!!) young people and staff cadets living with us, extras at the meal table and at Christmas.

Growing up in the community of staff and families and the wider El Rancho family was a rich and fun experience - definitely not the normal family life.

Mum was very creative and made many of our clothes...usually matching!l (well not Pete's).

We had a box of fabric remnants, and Mum always managed to whip something up for us. If we had something special to go to, we would get out the box and make something to wear. Often still doing the hem and sewing on the buttons on the way in the old Kingswood Stationwagon.

I have great memories of sewing with Mum, we loved creating something from nothing...and I still love to sew for special occasions. Like today, this is a creation made from bits and pieces of Mum’s.

Mum always had baking in the tins - it was a rare occasion that we had brought biscuits. It was sacrilege but we used to trade our homemade biscuits at school for bought

At Christmas we were always given a Sampler Biscuit Box. There were rules: 1 plain, 1 fancy, and you were not allowed to take from the second layer until the first layer was gone. Many arguments arose over what qualified as ‘plain’ or ‘fancy’ – the pink wafer biscuits were controversial weren’t they Suzie. I remember the day Dad discovered that biscuits were missing from the second layer. The culprit is still at large!

Mum and Dad always had a heart for youth and wanted to start camps for young teenagers at Waikanae. This is how El Rancho camps began, these camps became so pivotal to the vision and ministry of camp, that camp itself became known as El Rancho. The ministry at El Rancho grew and expanded and Mum was so thankful and privileged to be part of this for 32 years.

The Camp Bookshop was Mums pride and joy.  It was her vision and she made it happen.  She had a great rapport with her customers, recommending her favourite books.  One day, talking with a customer- she jokingly suggested that if the conference speaker was boring, perhaps he could start the book.  He replied "Ma'am I am the speaker. "

When they retired at the end of 1998, Mum and Dad moved to Auckland to be nearer their grandchildren.

Now there are 10 grandchildren, their partners and 6 great grandies.  Mum was immensely proud of each one, and they bought her so much joy.  

In Auckland, they first lived in Forrest Hill and enjoyed having time to spend with friends and retired life. Thanks to the Birkenhead Baptist Church family for the friendship and fellowship they enjoyed with you.

Later moving to Summerset, Mum loved being part of ‘community life’ again, and they really enjoyed their time and friendships made there, their fellowship with the Summerset Village Church community and involvement in the Ormiston Baptist Church plant -  proof that pioneers never retire.

Mum and Dad have had so many supportive friends who have mentored and encouraged them. They have made lifelong friends through El Rancho and Christian Camping, and we are thankful to those of you, who are here today.

Shirley asked me to speak shortly of her life as a Camp Directors wife – “such an understatement”! Shirley was so, so much more than that – Shirley was the “Heart of Camp” – the most caring and dignified person and someone that gave so much to other people – her role at camp was “indefinable” – she was Johns rock, support and encouragement – she ran the bookshop (we had so much fun in that bookshop), she was Camp Mother, Camp Nurse, Kitchen Hand, Cleaner, Counsellor- she did everything! She did things behind the scene that enabled John to direct the camp in such an amazing way – in fact I think the only thing I didn’t see Shirley do was help with the Horse Riding programme! Camp was 24/7 for them both and they worked so hard   

I first met Shirley and John when I came to El Rancho – I was almost 11 years old. At that age I had no idea of how these people or this place was going to have such an impact on my life – including my family. During the school holidays I used to cry because I got homesick and I didn’t want to go to camp - and then I cried on the way home because I didn’t want to leave camp. Shirley, John, their family, and the other camp staff were amazing role models for me and for the thousands of kids that came through camp. There are many of you here today that spent a lot of your childhood days at El Rancho and know what I am talking about. 

El Rancho was Shirley and John – it is impossible for me to stand here today and talk about Shirley alone –they were a team and did everything together.  Shirley would often say that in earlier years her greatest desire was to be a missionary – however her health would stop her from travelling overseas to fulfil this – but God had even bigger plans for her – a missionary in her own country – right outside her front door – touching the lives of many, many people every day. Shirley and John had the ability to rub shoulders with so many types of people – they were always offering people a place to stay. They were able to understand the ‘youth of the day’ and had an amazing ability to mingle with them and not judge their past. At camp Shirley knew just about every child’s name (quite a feat for a camp of 200) and she was always looking out for the ‘underdog’ – she hated seeing kids bullied, she felt for the children that hurt, and was so caring in the First Aid room and with homesick children. There was one time when an 11 year old boy was lining up for a meal and looked quite distressed. Shirley stopped and spoke with him and he told her “I don’t understand your meals”– she asked him what he would understand and he said “A cheese sandwich” – so Shirley made sure each meal time he had a cheese sandwich and made a little deal with the boy that he would choose one other item to put on his plate as he walked along the servery to help him get used to other types of food. She always had a kind and caring answer to all the kids’ problems.  

Shirley had a great sense of humour – we laughed when the camp computers were set up and John had to pick an email provider – John really liked the sound of Elrancho@paradise and Johnbaker@paradise – Shirley thought Shirleybaker@paradise was quite fitting for her too – Charmian, Laureen and I thought that Shirleybaker@yahoo would be a much suitable for her!

Shirley and John were formidable shoppers. Every trip out of camp had a purpose – either to see family or search for a bargain for camp. No opportunity was lost – John and Shirley came to my Police graduation – once it was over they went missing – but it didn’t take too long to find them – they were located in the Police College kitchen sizing up kitchen equipment for camp. And they eventually did buy a Bratt Pan for camp.  

Shirley always looked stunning and bought some amazing purchases from the Baptist Church Op Shop – The op shop was also the source to buy clothing for the theme nights at camp - they would go the extra mile to look fantastic – so much so that one night, during a carnival theme, they were both dressed up as clowns and a group of parents had come to visit their children – they wanted to speak to the people in charge and thank them for taking such good care of their children - when we hesitantly pointed them in Shirley and John’s direction it became apparent that they were not quite so sure their kids were in good hands.

Shirley and John (and I have to add Bronnie Baker here) are responsible for my family all coming to know the Lord in a real, personal way – after I became a Christian at camp at 11 yrs old I went home to parents that ‘sort of’ knew about God but did not have a personal relationship with Him. For years Shirley and John prayed along with me for my family - then one day my mother agreed to come up to a Family Camp and help - Shirley lead her to the Lord – in their own lounge. A few weeks ago I talked to Shirley about this and she said that she will never forget her joy of seeing the Holy Spirit hovering over my mother that night – my mother and father are now going on strongly for the Lord and up until recently were running their own house group – as a result my sister also has a strong faith in God.  When my Dad would pick me up from camp he would always comment that “…there was something different about Shirley and John and the people at camp…” My parents had so much love and respect for Shirley and John.

My cousin Bronwynn also came to camp – and had Bronnie Baker as her leader! After camp her family gave her quite a hard time about the decision she had made – they thought it was just a phase Bronwynn was going through and they had no understanding of anything spiritual. Shortly after this they moved to Australia and my cousin was wearing a dove around her neck she had bought at camp – someone asked her about it and invited them all to a church over there - my Aunty and Uncle are now going on very strongly for the Lord in their own right and Bronwynn’s brother Kerry now Pastors a church in Perth – with a strong focus in visiting Thailand and helping young girls in trouble over there 

I am aware that just before Christmas Shirley received an email from a man called Richard who is about my age. He came to know the Lord at El Rancho as a child. He wanted to thank her for how she, and his experience at camp, is still changing his life - as well as that of his family.  It was such a timely email that thrilled her so much. Richard and the people from his House Group in Paraparaumu have been actively praying for Shirley during her illness. 

I have so many stories of lives changed through Shirley and John however I would be standing here for days if I was able to share them all. Shirley was such an incredible role model 

In finishing I want to speak about, and give thanks to 3 very special people who enabled Shirley to be so effective for the Lord and touch so many lives – Peter, Bronnie and Sue. It’s sometimes hard to imagine how Shirley and John actually had time for their own family – but they lived for their 3 amazing children and Shirley was so proud of her grandchildren – it was evident by the fact you almost had to fight the photographs to get into their lounge.  I particularly remember little Amy and Jodie running around camp and the time when little Reg was staying with them and he asked Shirley a question. When he didn’t get the reply he was expecting from her he replied “I know I’ll ask Poppa – he’s the boss”! Shirley thought that was hilarious.  

I think you actually have had to be a camp kid to understand what a huge privilege it is to live and grow up there – but also what a huge sacrifice you also make in sharing your parents with thousands of other children – and quite often your lounge and private space with 12 + leaders.  Also how repetitive luncheon sausage (Pete), pavlova, apple crumble, hot dogs and mince on corn chips can be - although in saying in that I dont think I would have ever got sick of Brian and Angela Sanders' apple and apricot shortcake with camp custard.

Pete, Bronnie and Sue – I can’t thank you enough for the sacrifice you each made sharing your mother with myself and thousands of other children/people just like me. God has blessed each of you with beautiful families that I know Shirley loved so much and was so proud of. I knew exactly what was happening in each of your lives because that would be the first thing she would talk about when we met up – all the families’ achievements and adventures. Camp life was a ‘family challenge’ and each of you in your own right have been a blessing to so many people. On behalf of myself and so many thousands of people thank you!

John – it gives me some comfort to know you have such strong family support. I just hope you know how much you are loved too and how much support there is for you xx