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In the Spotlight – Anna Loach – Manager / Funeral Director – Wife, Mother, Nanna

Getting To Know Anna Loach
Simplicity Anna Loach

Written by: Simplicity Nelson
Date: April 11, 2022

Whilst much of her time is dedicated to managing Simplicity Funeral Nelson and Richmond, there is another side to Anna Loach and here we find out a little more:

How long have you lived in Nelson?

My husband and I, together with our two boys arrived in Nelson in October 2002.  Whilst it was very difficult leaving all our family and friends back in the UK, we both decided that we wanted a change in lifestyle for our boys and moving to New Zealand just felt like the right thing to do.

What do you miss about your home country?

Family…..but nothing much else really.  But I would be lying if I didn’t say good old fish and chips with mushy peas.  Whilst you can some lovely fish and chips in Nelson, nothing beats good old English fish and chips, and eating them straight out of the newspaper with lots of salt and vinegar!! But I guess after 20 years you get used to it.

What are you most proud of?

Well, obviously my children and grandies.  Two years after moving to New Zealand we welcomed our daughter into the world and that completed our family.  Whilst they are now adults themselves, they are all living in Nelson and we get to enjoy quality family time together.  Becoming a Nanna was the next best thing and we really enjoy this new phase in our lives.  We get to feed them sugar, wind them up, get sleep overs and then hand them back so really, we get the best of everything.  Being grandparents is awesome but also watching your children navigate adult world and their achievements in their own right is pretty special.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

I love spending time with my fur babies.  Sadly, we very recently had to say goodbye to one of them, which is very sad as our fur babies are part of our family.  Last Christmas we welcomed a new fur baby, Tucker, into our family and he is a bundle of joy.  He arrived home just a week ahead of our new granddaughter so you could say Christmas Day was pretty special as that was the first day we got to meet her too.  

I also love spending time in the kitchen.  That is my thinking time and wind down time.  I love creating in the kitchen whether it is baking, or creating a new dish for dinner, it really is my happy place.

And what about caravanning? Where does that fit in?

Well, given the last few years and how restricted we have been, my husband and I decided to bring our retirement plans forward and purchase our caravan.  When I say bring them forward, I don’t mean that we are retiring now, we simply decided to make our purchase now and make sure we find the time to go away and enjoy our time in the caravan.  Whilst we have only been a few places, we have so much fun and love being outdoors.  We have been taking the puppy with us so that he too becomes an avid camper.  He loves it.  It’s almost like having a toddler with you but not quite such hard work.

What’s your favourite food?

Anything really.  I’m not a fussy eater at all but do try to limit gluten and dairy.  Not because I have any allergy but simply that I feel a whole lot better when I limit them.  My husband and I are also trying to have a couple of evening meals per week that are meat free.  This is taking some adjusting as my family are big meat eaters, but I feel that it is good thing to be doing but I’m not sure that my husband is convinced yet!

What would you like to achieve in the next 12 months?

Well with my daughter finishing Year 13 this year, I would like to see her settled into the next phase in her life, probably further studies.  I’m not sure if this will be in Nelson but wherever it is, it will be a good excuse to go visit and of course, go shopping!!

I would also like to be using the Caravan a little more and perhaps once the borders are open and we are confident that it is ok to be travelling, then probably an overseas trip to see my Mum and family in the UK will be on the cards as I it will have been  7 years since I last saw them.

My dream holiday right now would be a cruise.  I don’t really mind where that would take me but it’s the only way to truly switch off, no cell phone or internet coverage! But I think we have a long way to go before we get to do that.

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