It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that the Tauranga and Bethlehem communities mourn the sudden passing of Anne, the beloved heart and soul behind Somerset Cottage Restaurant. Her passing has left an immeasurable void in the lives of her husband Rick, their family, friends, staff, and the countless people whose lives she touched through her warmth, creativity, and extraordinary hospitality.
In announcing the heartbreaking news, Anne’s family shared their deep grief as they begin facing life without their cherished mum and wife. As they mourn this unimaginable loss, the restaurant, cook schools, and studio that Anne poured so much passion into have temporarily closed — a reflection of just how central she was to everything Somerset Cottage represented.
Anne was far more than a restaurateur. To many, she was a mentor, an inspiration, and a guiding presence whose influence reached far beyond the walls of the restaurant. Friends and former staff members lovingly recalled how she helped shape them into better people, offering guidance with kindness, forgiveness, and understanding. Her strength, humor, wisdom, and fierce love left a permanent mark on everyone fortunate enough to know her.
For decades, Somerset Cottage Restaurant became more than just a dining destination — it became part of the fabric of the community. Families celebrated anniversaries, milestones, and treasured memories there, welcomed by Anne’s brilliance as a host and her unwavering commitment to making people feel at home. Many remember her famous soufflé, her engaging conversations, and the genuine care she showed every guest who walked through the doors.
The Māori proverb shared by her family, “Kua hinga te tōtara i te wao nui a Tāne,” speaks deeply to the magnitude of this loss — “A mighty tōtara tree has fallen in the forest of Tāne.” Anne was indeed a towering presence: respected by many, loved deeply, and unforgettable to all who crossed her path.
As tributes continue pouring in from across New Zealand and beyond, it is clear Anne’s legacy will endure through the lives she shaped, the memories she created, and the love she shared so generously.
Heartfelt condolences are extended to Rick, Hannah, Courteney, their entire family, and the wider Somerset community during this devastating time. May Anne rest peacefully, forever remembered with love, admiration, and gratitude.