Mary Radley

1943-2004

Mary was killed when a drugged driver slid accross the centre line and smashed into her car in Picton in August 2004. 

Mary was a much-loved mother, grandmother and friend to many. She was a vivacious lady who lived life very carefully. She was the sort of person who worried about other people not wearing seat-belts.

She had dedicated her professional life as a nurse to midwifery, specialist care of HIV patients and palliative care of the dying. She was committed to helping the dying to have as much quality of life and dignity as possible, yet a drug addict callously snatched her life.

The offender had several previous serious driving convictions and ultimately got a sentence amounting to nine months prison.

Mary’s daughter, Rachel Ford, has arduously campaigned as part of the Candor Trust for improved drugged driving legislation.  She is also interested in gaining improved rights for the victims of drugged drivers. The offender that killed Mary was New Zealand first person to be convicted of DUI of drugs causing death.

Rachel says: "Mum was sixty and not done. She had the right to safe travel yet this heinous act of DUI drugs has deleted 20 years she was entitled to."

"It was her time to get re-paid and be treasured as an elder for her life of giving to others. But that chance is gone now, the generational chain is broken. Her grandchildren were so young they don't even remember their proud Nana."