Parkinson laid to rest today

A lady who dedicated her life to lifting health standards in Fiji and the region was laid to rest today.

Hundreds of friends and family member farewelled the late Susan Parkinson during the funeral service held at the Holy Trinity Anglican Cathedral, Suva.

92 year old Parkinson who was a well known South Pacific nutritionist and a pioneer of women's rights in Suva passed away on Sunday

Parkinson was a leading figure in the inauguration and development of the Young Women's Christian Association of Fiji and the Fiji Women's Rights Movement.

In her eulogy this morning, a close friend of Parkinson, Suliana Siwatibau acknowledged Parkinson's hard work in the community.

The late Susan Parkinson earned a lot of awards and recognition for the work she did. She was made a member of the Order of the British Empire and the Order of Fiji and received an Honorary Degree from USP.

Her son William Parkinson in his eulogy highlighted that his mother was a very determined and compassionate woman with a set of rules.

From the early 1950's Late Susan Parkinson was the acknowledged regional authority on food and nutrition preaching the gospel of healthy balanced diets, based on local foods. 

She saw that this was critical for avoiding lifestyle diseases that has now become a major concern.

Parkinson defied all odds to reach out to the families in the remote areas in Fiji and other islands in the Pacific. 

Back in the day, she traveled regularly by boat and canoe, and on foot and horseback where there were no roads.

The late Susan Parkinson is survived by her son William, daughter in law Sufi and grandchildren Farah and Shavez, as well as many relatives in New Zealand and Australia.

Story by: Sneh Chaudhry and Vijay Narayan