Born and raised in Southland’s Tuatapere in 1935, Getty was Gerald and Winona Butler’s youngest child and only daughter.

As ‘the baby’ in a large farming family of seven, Getty learned the value of hard work from a very early age. As a keen help for her mother and father, Getty loved to feed the chooks, open the gates and collect milk from the cows.

In 1940, Getty started at Waiau Area School and quickly became an avid reader. Her favourite book was The Tale of Peter Rabbit, which was read without fail every night before bed. Getty and her mother Winona even stitched together a little rabbit from feed sacks and Getty took her beloved rabbit with her everywhere.

In 1950 (age 15), Getty won first prize at The Southland Fair with her prized cow Poppy! Inspired by the win, Getty then dedicated herself to farming and even turned her hand to crafting butter, cream and cheese. Getty’s cheese quickly became a local delicacy throughout Southland and she proudly opened her very own cheese shop in Invercargill in 1953 (aged 18).

In 1955, Getty met Jim Jackson and (according to Jim) it was love at first sight. Jim proposed later that year and the two were married in a quaint church wedding in 1956 (age 21). Getty and Jim went on to have five healthy children – John, Gerard, Sarah, Samuel and Peter who blessed them with 14 grandchildren. Getty was a dedicated wife, mother, and grandmother who was absolutely delighted to become a great-grandmother to baby Zane in May 2020.

‘Although you’ve left us, your memory lives on… Thank you for the great sacrifices you made for our family. You were the best wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother anyone could have ever asked for. We all love you so much and we know Jim will be so pleased to be reunited with you in Heaven. Rest in peace Getty.’ – Your Family