"Fred and Myrtle Flutey’s grave" Bluff Things to Do Tip by Kakapo2

You find Frey and Myrtle Flutey’s grave without consulting the register of the plots. Just walk up the staircase, and at its end it is on the right, one of the neatest and well looked after graves on the Old Bluff Cemetery.

On the reddish headstone the letters are still golden, and you will find a photo of those well-loved icons, just the way they were and how New Zealanders will remember them, with these lovely smiles on their faces. If I am not mistaken this photo was taken on their 70th wedding anniversary.

We were told the cemetery was already “full” when they died in 2000 and 2001. But they had a plot because – as we did not know and only found out when we stood at their grave – their two children had died long before them, a son at the age of 25 years in 1954 and a daughter at the age of 30 years in 1973.

Often couples get torn apart after such tragic events but obviously they have connected the Fluteys even stronger. They found a new lease of life in the creation of their Paua House and the hosting of more than a million visitors. Losing children at such young age and then turning 89 and nearly 98 years old is one of the things in life you just do not really understand but have to accept. Fred and Myrtle are shining examples of how people should be, just loving and giving.

After having seen them so many times in the little film at Canterbury Museum and absolutely loving them, finally standing at their grave put a huge smile on my face. The only regret I have is that I have never met them when they were still alive. Long live their spirit!

Address: End of Logan Street, Bluff