People you can depend on to go the extra mile

At Gee & Hickton, our funeral directors are very much part of the community and are passionate about providing a professional and caring service.

To find out more about the extra care our team offers, please phone Cornwall Manor in Lower Hutt on (04) 566 3103 or Kingswood in Upper Hutt (04) 528 2331.

Gavin Murphy JP Dip FS

The manager at Gee & Hickton since 2000, Gavin says he aims to exceed people's expectations of service and professionalism, and to know that he has made a difference by facilitating a meaningful and personal farewell. He also says it is a privilege to be able to lead a team of such dedicated professionals. Gavin is a qualified funeral director and embalmer, and a national examiner in embalming.

He lives in Petone with his wife Vanessa, a teacher, and his two daughters Freyja and Cassie. His passion is enjoying food and playing squash – one helps cancel out the other, he says – and he works out at the local gym on weights to keep fit when he has the time, while also fitting in "the occasional and very poor game of golf."

He also enjoys his role as a JP.

Andrew Patterson Dip FS

Born and educated in Lower Hutt, Andrew has been a funeral director for many years, starting his career as an embalmer in 1990 and becoming a qualified funeral director in 1994. He is a member of the NZ Embalmers' Association and the Australian Institute of Embalmers. In his spare time, he plays soccer for Lower Hutt City Soccer Club (and has done since he was five) and is married to Kirsten, the Human Resources Manager for the New Zealand Rugby Union. They have a daughter, Meredith and son Griffen.

Sue Kenny

Sue and her former husband ran Wallaceville House Wedding and Conference Venue at Upper Hutt for 15 years before selling up and travelling. Since then she has worked with young people at the Women’s Centre and has been service coordinator at Upper Hutt Victim Support. Since joining Gee & Hickton , she has continued some of her work for the Women's Centre in a voluntary capacity, facilitating women's groups. Sue has five adult children and four grandsons and lives in Upper Hutt.

Dana Brown Dip FD

In 2007 Dana graduated after completing the National Certificate in Funeral Directing, acheiving the honour of top overall student. In her spare time Dana has been involved in the sport of Marching for over 25 years. Dana loves camping, the outdoors and to travel the world. It is important to Dana to learn about other peoples cultures and customs to assist her in her role as a funeral director and travel and ongoing studies allows her to achieve this. Dana is married and has lived in the Hutt Valley all her life

Ray Walker Nat Cert FD

Ray has been a funeral director in the Hutt Valley since 1986, gaining his Certificate in Funeral Directing in 1990. Over the years he has enjoyed meeting many wonderful people and having the opportunity to help them with advice and assistance during what can often be a very stressful time for families. Together with his wife Jill, he has a daughter Kylie, a son Peter and two marvellous grandsons. In his spare time he enjoys the outdoors, Sudoku, real estate and spending time at his second home in the Wairarapa

Daryl Edwards Dip FD

Daryl Edwards is fulfilling a life-long wish to be a funeral director at Gee and Hickton after many years in the Army in logistics. In his spare time, he has been learning the craft of woodturning, making bowls and platters from native timbers with increasing intricacy and skill. He was a volunteer for Victim Support.

Daryl and his wife Anne have four children. The youngest, Elizabeth, attends primary school in Lower Hutt. The family lives on a lifestyle block in Wainuiomata.

Hazel Neser

Hazel has many years experience assisting the bereaved. She is available free of charge through Gee & Hickton Funeral Directors to listen, answer questions, provide support and assistance and help people understand their grief through this difficult time.

After experiencing a range of personal losses, Hazel has developed a passion for helping people who are facing the challenges of loss. She says she feels strongly that people need to give themselves permission to experience their grief and to trust the grieving process.

Hazel has run Gee & Hickton’s after-care support service for several years and teaches behavioural science, with an emphasis on loss and grief, at the Wellington Medical School.

Kevin Algar Dip FD

Kevin Algar has joined Gee & Hickton with a background in finance and real estate. Kevin has helped many families achieve their dream of home ownership and is looking forward to helping many more people at what can be a very stressful time. Kevin lives in Upper Hutt and is married with three children. He is actively involved with his family in sport and dancing and enjoys squash, motor sport and mountain biking in his spare time.