Shane Elliot Christensen

Shane Wherever you may be… Remember us…. You will always have Our endless love.

My sister sometimes jokes that I don’t have many childhood memories, but since I have a twin sister, I figure I don’t need to remember them all. But I do recall many memories of Shane as my protective big brother. He used to ‘dub’ me to school on the back of his bike… riding fast as I held on tightly knowing we’d beat Vanessa and Selena on the bike behind us. The time he took me for a ride down our street in Wairoa on the back of his first motorbike-popping the only helmet on me and doing skids in the gravel. When I was about 16 & he was about 23, he came and stayed at Mum & Dad’s pub for a couple of months. He would protectively keep an eye out for Selena and me to keep us out of trouble, which he got to enjoy as a teenager. I remember that he was so charming with the ladies who worked there and I remember often walking into the pub kitchen to hear him making them laugh. As the years went by Shane & I would always have long chats during tough times in our lives-like heartbreak. We’d FaceTime and talk about everything and at the end of each call I’d see that we’d been talking for at least a couple of hours. I’d always think “we should do that more often”…and today my feeling of that is stronger than ever. Life took you too soon, but your pride in Sarah and Paul will live on as they were your greatest joy. So rest easy, big brother. xxl

Shane was my big brother. In my world, they don’t get much bigger, and he could certainly be big in presence, loud in voice, and yes, undeniably annoying at times. I can still picture him literally guarding the front gate, hands planted firmly on his hips, a human roadblock ensuring my sisters and I didn’t dare head off to school a moment before Mum and Dad had deemed it acceptable. He had a particular fondness for hogging the remote control, the ultimate prized possession of most older brothers - even when it was attached by a cord to the telly. And then there were the card games. With the promise of a fun game, he’d call his two eager little twin sisters, only to gleefully launch the deck into the air with a booming, “Pick up 52!” A trick I fell for more times than I will admit. He was never shy about offering his unsolicited advice and sharing his strong opinions, often with a timing or viewpoint that, I have to admit, I didn’t appreciate at the time. But beneath his big presence was a big brother who showed his love in his own way. He offered a genuine “thank you” when I attempted to be helpful by cleaning his motorbike, even when I shoved the hose up the exhaust and almost caused engine failure. He paved the way for my entry to the working world, helping me get a part-time job at Gordon McIntyres TV and Video Hire Shop, where for a brief period, our Saturday mornings overlapped. Later, as adults, he went out of his way to bring Sarah and Paull Jnr for weekend trips to the Gold Coast whenever we, their Aunty CC and Uncle BBBrian, had quick trips there. Shane was a larger-than-life figure, both literally and figuratively. He had his own unique language of love, and looking back, it was spoken fluently in small, quiet and understated ways. Shane, we might have gone months, sometimes even years, without much contact but you’ll always be my one and only big brother. Love you Shane. Rest easy. Selena / CC / Aunty CC

We met Shane in the early Nineties when he moved in as our house mate in Harbord, Sydney. We clicked straight away, all in our early twenties, kiwis from small towns and totally blown away by the hustle and bustle of Sydney. It doesn't seem that long ago you were living in Caringbah, Narenburn and Lane Cove in Sydney with Lisa along for the ride. Your were always pointing out the signs you had been involved with building or installing at work. Then came that Mitsubishi Magna obsession, there was a few at least 3, probably 5. All were modified to have noisy exhausts. The Magna obsession passed, but not the noisy exhausts. Off to Brisbane you went, getting married, buying a house, stepping up into estimating and project management roles and building a future for kids. We followed to Brisbane a couple of years later and stayed at yours for 3 months till we brought a house 5 minutes away. A six pack of beers or a few JDs over a dozen games of pool became our Friday afternoon norm. We shared the highs of Lisa getting pregnant, to the sadness of losing Dillion, followed by the joy of the birth of Sarah and Paull. Six years was enough for us in Brisbane, to much blue sky so we moved back to NSW. A marriage breakdown is never easy for all involved, the kids became the focus. In the blink of an eye toddlers became children, teenagers, young adults. Such a proud Dad you were always commenting on their ups and downs, Sarah and Paull you were his everything. We have been back in NSW 19 years and i have spoken with Shane every week or two for anywhere between 10 minutes to an hour and a half. Sarah and Paull you were always mentioned, sometimes Mums, Dads and sisters but normally just chewing the fat, solving the worlds biggest problems and talking about his Nissan with the noisy exhaust that he loved so much. To family and friends our deepest and sincere condolences. 58 Far too young. Audrey and I will miss you deeply, farewell. Thanks for the memories. Steve & Audrey Webb

Kate and Paull your tributes to Shane are truly beautiful and heart felt. I still remember the day he was born and how proud and happy you both were. I couldn’t wait to get up to Kenepuru hospital and have the first cuddle - I had to rush to get there in order to beat my mum and dad who were just as excited. He was such a cute wee man- (well actually not that little) and he grew up to be a tall, skinny gangly teenager with a cheeky grin. Ending up with 3 younger sisters Shane quickly learnt how to stand up for himself when the girls tried to boss him around or try to make him play their girlie games. Our two families spent many happy days together. When Shane moved to Wellington he would often come and dined spend time with Steve in the garage talking and fiddling around with cars. They would be out there for hours - heaven only knows what they found to talk about. My heart just breaks for you all - hold onto the special memories and remember the good times . Rest easy Shane - you were taken far too soon . Love to you all - we’re only a phone call away . ♥

Bruce & Sheryl send their heart felt condolences to all the family members.

Over the years I have written and given numerous eulogies for both friends and family but this is without doubt the hardest one I have needed to do, no father should outlive their own child. Shane was our eldest and only son and to die at the age of 58 years is incomprehensible. Each of us have now only memories of Shane, some good, some bad, some funny and some sad, but each memory is a treasure that will never be forgotten. From his birth in the early hours of the morning at the Keneperu Maternity Hospital until his death in Brisbane Australia. These memories seem to classify and sort themselves into folders, baptism, starting school, moving towns, playing sport, going to college, starting work, leaving home, moving to Australia, marriage to Lisa, the birth of Dillon, the loss of Dillon, the birth of Sarah and Paull and throughout his later life the love that he both gave and received from them. Although each of our memories differ they help us to overcome the grief that each of us feels through his death. You may think that you can recall all of these memories at one time, but then all of a sudden another forgotten memory appears that you may have not thought about for a long time, but there it is as clear as day. I think that we all try to keep the good memories and discard the bad but by doing that we are destroying Shane's ideals, his beliefs and personality. My own grief will stay with me forever but the memories of him will bring relief when such grief overcomes me. I was always a fan of A.A Milne who wrote about Winnie the Pooh and Twelve-acre wood. When Shane was a child I used to read to him these stories, Milne wrote of Pooh Bear saying upon the death of a friend, “How lucky am I to have someone who makes saying goodbye so hard” Goodbye son

I got to know Shane when he first went to work at Landmark and was looking for some accomodation. He came and shared the unit I was living in at Redcliffe and we became very close friends. Shane used to pick up Sarah and Paull Friday afternoon and they would spend the weekend at the unit with Shane taking them swimming, bike riding or just out and about in general. He loved taking Sarah to soccer and was so proud of her ability at the game. Many’s the time that I would tag along to watch the game. Shane was so proud of both Sarah and Paull no more so than in their work achievements. I for one will certainly miss him greatly as will Sue. He could act very rough and tough when necessary but he could actually be very gentle and supportive. I offer my condolences to Family and friends at the loss of Shane and would love to personally talk to Sarah and Paull and as mentioned in an earlier message I sent to Shanes phone. Sue and I will always be here if you ever need either of us to talk to or a place to get away to for the weekend Once again my condolences to all and I we will miss him greatly Kerrod and Sue.

I worked with Shane for more than 10 years. Shane thought me so much and I’m so grateful for everything he’s done for me. We used to talk everyday and I miss our conversations. We often talked about our kids. Shane was very proud of Paul and Sarah always talking about how smart Sarah is and how Paul found his way at the trade school. He said Paul was thinking of going into the army and he was very proud but said that he was going to miss him very much. Sarah and Paul I hope you are ok and if you need anything please contact me anytime. My condolences Maira.