Continuing Maureen’s love for animals through gifts given in her memory

For Maureen Littin, helping animals was simply part of who she was.

In her Warkworth neighbourhood, Maureen became known as someone people could always count on when it came to their pets. If a neighbour was going away, she was more than happy to feed their cats and make sure they were safe and cared for. And she didn’t let distance get in the way of helping, sometimes travelling several kilometres to check in on an animal.

“If there was ever a stray cat and no one claimed it, often she would take any strays in – or if someone had a cat they needed to find a new home for, she would take it. At one stage, she had seven cats and a dog! They were all very well fed, cared for and loved. We used to laugh that it cost more to feed the animals than herself," her daughter Leanne says.

It was this deep compassion for animals that also led Maureen to become a long-time supporter of SPCA.

For many years, Maureen made regular donations to help animals in need. Her support was a reflection of something that had always been important to her – making sure animals were cared for, protected and given the chance to find loving homes.

Maureen also thought about how she could continue helping animals in the future. Long ago, she made the decision to leave a gift to SPCA in her Will, ensuring her love for animals would continue beyond her lifetime.

Keeping Maureen’s legacy alive

When Maureen passed away, her daughter Leanne found her own meaningful ways to keep her Mum’s memory close.

Without being able to buy Maureen birthday and Christmas presents as she once had, Leanne decided to turn those occasions into opportunities to celebrate her Mum through giving.

"Now that I don't have her here to buy birthday and Christmas presents for, each birthday in March and each Christmas I make a donation in memory of Mum. Mum would also buy me a calendar with cats on it every Christmas, so I now buy myself an SPCA cat calendar each year."

What began as a way of remembering Maureen has become a special annual tradition for Leanne – one that connects some of the memories she holds most dear with something she knows would have meant so much to her Mum.

Each birthday and Christmas donation is a small but heartfelt tribute to Maureen, while helping SPCA continue its work caring for animals across New Zealand.

A love that continues

Maureen’s story is a reminder that a person’s love for animals can continue to make a difference long after they are gone.

Through her lifetime of kindness, her regular support of SPCA, her decision to leave a gift in her Will, and now through the gifts Leanne makes in her memory, Maureen’s compassion continues to reach animals in need.

Her legacy is not only found in the animals she cared for herself, but also in the kindness she inspired in others.

For Leanne, remembering her Mum through these gifts provides a meaningful way to keep doing something Maureen cared deeply about. And for the animals who benefit from that generosity, it means another helping hand when they need it most.

A gift made in memory of someone special can be a beautiful way to celebrate their life and the things they cared about. Whether it is a one-off donation, a birthday or Christmas tradition, every act of generosity can help create a kinder future for animals.

Through gifts made in her memory, Maureen’s love for animals continues today.