Statement from the family of Ann and Des Dean

Ann and Des Dean died tragically in the Carterton hot air balloon accident on Saturday 7 January 2012. The following statement can be attributed to Ann and Des Dean's daughters Bronwyn Brewster, Deborah Gray and Fiona Rouse:


'Ann and Des were born and bred in Masterton. Ann attended West School and then went on to Wairarapa College. Des went to East School and then Wairarapa College too.

When Ann's father passed away when she was just 14 years old, she went out to work soon after. Her first job was in the office at the then Wrightson's Department Store.

After leaving school, Des did a joinery apprenticeship and continued in the building industry throughout the rest of his working life.

Des's father was a bricklayer and was involved in the early days of construction of Wairarapa College, which commenced in 1922.

Ann and Des married on the 4th of June, 1966. Before their wedding Des purchased a section in Masterton and they began building their dream home.

After they wed, they lived in a caravan on the section until the house was completed. Ann and Des lived in this same house for the entirety of their married life.

Ann continued to work at Wrightson's until the birth of their first child Bronwyn in 1968.

Deborah was then born in 1971 and Fiona followed in 1973.

In about the mid-1970's, Des started his own company D.A Dean Builder.

Not only was Ann a full-time mum to three active girls, but she also did the book work for Des's business.

Bronwyn, Deborah and Fiona remember how much interest Mum and Dad took in their lives growing up, never missing a sports game.

All three girls played squash and most weekends were spent following the girls around various squash courts and tournaments!

Ann and Des were also keen squash players and members of the Masterton Squash Club for several years, with Des being made a life member of the club. Des was also a member of the Masterton Host Lions for several years.

They were especially proud of Fiona's squash achievements in 1998, when Fiona represented New Zealand in squash at the Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth Games.

Ann and Des never missed their children's sports games and supported them wholeheartedly in all of their endeavours.

Bronwyn, Deborah and Fiona remember summer camping trips fondly. For about a decade, the Dean family would caravan at Ohope Beach every Christmas. It was in Ohope, that Ann and Des made many life long friendships. The Deans were also members of the Wairarapa Caravan Club for several years.

Mum and Dad loved each other dearly and they loved their family. They were the proud grandparents of Bronwyn and Grant's two children Aimee (aged 16 years) and Michael (aged 13) of Masterton, Deborah's two children Dean (aged 14) and Sarah (aged 12) of Masterton and Fiona and Simon's two children Mollie (aged 3) and Samuel (19 months) of Warkworth.

They never missed a grandchild's netball or hockey game and never missed a birthday, heading up to Warkworth to celebrate Mollie's birthdays and Samuel's, who also shares his birthday on the 12th of June with Ann.

Ann and Des had a great relationship with their son-in-laws Grant and Simon, who were also a big part of their lives. In recent times they also came to know and love Deborah's partner Paul and his two children Henry and William.

Des was about 90 per cent retired and had been for about two years, although he still did the odd job here and there.

His semi-retirement came in 2010, after Mum and Dad went on a month-long trip to Canada, something they'd always wanted to do. The trip also involved a cruise to Alaska. Des decided that he enjoyed being able to do his own thing and began to slow down.

For Mum, family was her life and she loved Dad, her children and her grandchildren. She was the most loyal and honest person you could ever meet.

Dad was an extremely hard worker with high morals and a lot of integrity.

Both Mum and Dad treated people with a huge amount of respect and treated others as they wanted to be treated.

Mum and Dad loved being together and both loved their garden. Mum with her dahlias and Dad with his vege garden, which was his pride and joy.

You were both taken from us far too soon. You had just started to live and enjoy your retirement. You will be treasured forever. We love and miss you.'



Media please note, the Dean family would like privacy to continue to mourn the loss of their parents and ask that media do not attend the funeral service for Ann and Des tomorrow.