Dear Editor, I only recently came across your article of 17th June 2011 regarding the passing of Te Tika Mataiapo Dorice Reid as I was researching for my autobiography.

My wife and I were very privileged to have been married by Dorice in the beautiful Cook Islands in 2006, and when we returned in late 2007 we looked her up again. (We had said that we would come back in 10 years, but couldn't wait so long!)  Rarotonga and this wonderful woman had left an impression on us. Te Tika Mataiapo Dorice Reid had an aura that very few people have, and we invited her to lunch. She suggested the Little Polynesian and I agreed provided I picked up the bill. What a lunch it was! Not only was the food excellent, but Dorice told us so many tales of her amazing life which we will never forget. We chatted for hours.

Until now I had not realised that she had departed from this life and must admit that I'm writing this with a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes. She was a very special person, and we come across very few like her in our lives. 

In your article you said that she will be missed by the Polynesian people, but I can tell you that we miss her too from far off England!

The Cook Islands and its people will always have a special place in our hearts, and we will never forget Dorice Reid.

Best wishes,

Richard and Pauline Twiddy

United Kingdom