EULOGY - Anona Buffett Cooper - 1970-2022

Anona was born in Tasmania on December 3^rd, 1970, to parents the late Aldin Buffett and Irene, nee Stephenson/Nicolai – both of whom were working in Burnie at the time.

Anona’s first visit to Norfolk Island was at the tender age of just two weeks old when her parents came back to the Island upon the death of Grandmother Lockett.

After moving over to New Zealand Anona started coming back to Norfolk Island on a regular basis during school holidays, and grew up alongside the local kids – many of whom will be sad to see her go.

School days in Auckland gave plenty of opportunities to show her abilities and she was a very competitive participant in netball and tennis. Besides her school sports program as a young girl Anona also enjoyed the opportunity to go sailing around the Auckland harbour with family friends.

Whilst on holidays at Norfolk she became very keen at horse riding and driving around in motor vehicles whenever possible. She had no fear, and would not hesitate to tackle any challenge that came her way. She had an intense love for animals including cats, dogs, horses, and could not kill a mouse, squash a snail, or swat a fly. Her mother can recall the times when Anona would trap a mouse, take the cage across the nearby park and release it back into the wild. It is quite possible the mouse would then follow her back to where it knew it could be assured of having a good home.

It was during her time at Lynfield College she met up with a fellow student by the name of Brett Cooper, who was to eventually become the love of her life.

Anona was a very dedicated employee of a Tanning and Export Company in Onehunga Auckland and was very popular with fellow workers, due to her friendly disposition and her willingness to tackle any of the problems that may have come along the way.

In the early 90’s she became a trainee cabin attendant for a fledging airline that was known as Norfolk Island Airlines. When the airline failed to continue its operation Anona stayed on Norfolk for a few months working at the RSL, and eventually went back by invitation to her old job in Auckland.

Not long after this It was her love of adventure that saw her go over to London to visit an old school friend and together they travelled the UK and Europe. On the way home they stopped off for a tour of Egypt where she was able to compare a camel ride to that of a horse. It was a great experience, and fondly remembered.

All through her time of childhood into adulthood Anona developed a very busy and bubbly personality. There was never an uncomfortable silence when Anona was around. She could always fill that in with funny story or two! She never left anybody out on their own, and loved connecting family and friends.

Anona became Mrs Buffet-Cooper in 2001, when she married Brett in a simple ceremony ‘barefoot in the sand’ in Fiji. Their first child Seth, was born in 2003.

In 2006 Brett suffered a work-place injury, and was unable to continue the work he enjoyed. Anona faced this problem head on and kept the family together with all her skills and determination. Then came second son, Ryan, in 2009, and another set-back. Ryan was born with a serious heart condition and underwent an operation at just 10 days old. After this Anona became heavily involved in the Heart Kids Foundation and spent many of her leisure hours helping with fund-raising, as well as taking part in all school functions.

A few years later, in 2015, Anona herself was a victim of a serious heart issue and was incredibly lucky to survive.

In the years in between these tough times Anona and Brett took their young family on holidays or weekends away whenever possible. They did a tour of the South Island in a motor-home, had a trip away to the Gold Coast to do the tourist attractions, and did many other short trips around parts of the North Island whenever they could.

Following a trip to Norfolk Island with young Seth in 2004, the family did regular visits with both boys to the Island to be amongst their Buffett cousins -- Coral, Colleen, and Alma and their families – all of whom made them feel so much at home. Their wish to live on Norfolk became more intense and was now a priority. They sold up in Auckland and made the final move to Norfolk in January, 2021.

Without a doubt the past two years have been the happiest years of Anona’s life and her family are so grateful to have come along for the ride in spite of this, a very sad chapter in the Book of Life.

Anona was always one of the most cheerful persons you could ever meet. She always met people with a big beaming smile, and was always willing to help anybody out, in any circumstances, at any time. She seemed to be a source of unlimited energy.

Anona is now sadly missed by all who have had the privilege of knowing her. She will forever remain in the hearts and minds of her three boys who have been left behind.