Donor Story: Susan Stafford

Susan Stafford was born in Geraldine Maternity Hospital in 1962 and adopted at six weeks old by Jack and Sheila Stafford—farmers in the back country of Geraldine. She grew up alongside her adopted brother John in a home filled with kindness, faith, and a deep sense of community. Jack and Sheila were known for their generosity, and Susan remembers her childhood as a happy one, surrounded by animals, books, and music.

Susan attended Geraldine High School from 1973 to 1979. She loved swimming and competed in the Special Olympics, and she took great pride in helping with lambing season on the farm—earning the affectionate title of “farm midwife.” Living with dyspraxia, Susan faced challenges, but she met them with quiet determination. She later earned her School Certificate, University Entrance, and a Level 3 Certificate in New Zealand Sign Language. She even published a book, Twixt & Tween, capturing her reflections and stories.

After losing both her adoptive parents at the age of 30, Susan searched for and connected with her biological parents – her Mother lived in Geraldine for a short time before moving to Queensland, and Susan recalls actually meeting her once in a shop when she was very small. Her biological mother stopped to admire the beautiful little girl that her adopted Mum had – not realizing that she was actually her own daughter. 

Susan has lived in Timaru since 1993 and has worked in a variety of roles—from secretarial work at Timaru Main School to home help for Plunket, housekeeping, and motel cleaning. She’s deeply connected to Idea Services, Wilson Street Baptist Church, and the Timaru Friends Connect group. Her life has been shaped by compassion, faith, and a desire to make a difference.

After a conversation with former Aoraki Foundation board chair Stephen McFarlane, Susan decided to leave a gift in her will. Her named fund will support people with mental and physical disabilities—those who, like her, benefit from a helping hand. Susan’s legacy is one of quiet courage and enduring generosity. Through her gift, she will continue to uplift others in the community she calls home.