Rosina Cairns Stark was born the ninth child to James and Rosina Stark on the 18 March 1886 at Mataura.
It appears that she was Christened “Rosina Cairns” in recognition of the kindness bestowed upon her mother, Rosina, (nee Steel) in her teenage years by Thomas Leggate and his wife Rosina nee Cairns and their children. It appears unlikely that the Leggate’s were related to the Steel’s. Further research may reverse this.
Rosina attended school at Mataura before moving to the Croydon Siding School 26 July 1897 and then to Gore school when her parents moved into 6 Duke St., Gore.
Rosina attended school at Mataura before moving to the Croydon Siding School 26 July 1897 and then to Gore school when her parents moved into 6 Duke St., Gore.
From around 1902, she also supported her brother Robert, when his wife died leaving 3 children under 5.
In 1907 Rosina gave birth to Cecil at Dunedin. More on Cecil on his own page. However, it would seem that Cecil was given up for adoption.
Rosina married Andrew Smith, related to H and J Smith of Invercargill, at Gisborne September 1909, where they lived until about 1940. Most of her married life was in Auckland, for a time at New Lynn and since about 1950 in a house built by Andrew himself at Glen Eden.
Rosina’s husband predeceased her 26 December 1951 and is buried at Waikumete Cemetery, Waitakere, Auckland. Shortly afterwards was joined by her brother Thomas who was at that time retired and widowed. Rosina kept very active and played bowls, both outdoor and indoor, until the mid 1970’s and continued with the indoor bowls until 1980.
Her daughter Renee and her husband Alex moved into her house to care for her for some time until she had to go into a private hospital in Mt Albert, Auckland.
Rosina died 20 August 1986 in her 101st year. She was cremated at Waikumete Crematorium and the ashes were returned to the family. Renee said that her mother’s ashes were spread over a rose garden at Glen Eden, Auckland
Children of Rosina Smith nee Stark
| Child | Born | Married | Children | Died | Comments | |
| Cecil George Stark Laurie | 1907 | 1928 | 1 | 1977 | Thomas | |
| Ernest Carlton | 1910 | 1932 | 4 | 1994 | Laird | |
| Norman Stuart | 1912 | 1938 | – | 1970 | Matthews | |
| Renee Phyllis | 1914 | 1941/ 1950/ Abt 1969 | -/ -/ – | 2013 | Stratford/ Swift/ Parkinson | |
| Lawrence Wilfred | 1916 | 1940 | 2 | 1997 | McAlister | |
| Milton Chester | 1919 | 1943 | 4 | 2008 | Hodsell |
Rosina and Andrew Smith’s Family – some collected notes
Ernest Carlton Smith was a career fireman starting in Gisborne and moving to Wanganui to become Senior Station Officer. There were 4 children
Norman Stewart Smith was also a permanent fireman being stationed at Lower Hutt. Following retirement he moved to Levin where he died 13 August 1970. Joyce died in Miramar, Wellington in 1985. There were no children.
Renee Phyllis Smith was a machinist by trade before marrying William Swift and living in Bennydale throughout the 1940’s and 1950’s. William died c. 1960 and Renee then married Alex Parkinson. They lived with Rene’s mother, Rosina, and cared for her in her latter years. There were no children.
Milton Chester Smith (generally known as Bill) married Dorothy Hodsell. They lived mainly at Maungataperei where he was employed as a cheese-maker. There were 4 children.