Remembering Jeanette Roose Thomas – 26 May 1934 to 17 September 2026

Remembering Jeanette Roose Thomas
26 May 1934 to 17 September 2026

Mercer Art and History Museum acknowledges with great sadness the passing of our founder, Jeanette Rosemary Thomas, née Roose, aged 92.

Jeanette’s life was deeply woven into the story of Mercer, the lower Waikato and the Waikato River. She was the only child of Caesar Roose and Gladys Ethel Fortescue Roose, and grew up surrounded by the people, businesses and river life that formed an important part of Mercer’s history.

Educated at St Cuthbert’s College and Auckland Business College, Jeanette later trained as a nurse at Waikato Hospital from 1953 to 1956. She married Bill Thomas in 1957 and together they raised six children.

Jeanette’s own life was remarkably varied. She worked in nursing, farming and business and served her community through local government and numerous community roles. She was known for her energy, determination and strong commitment to the people and places of the lower Waikato.

She was also a keeper of stories.

In 1986, Jeanette co authored Grand Old Man of the River: Caesar Roose, recording the life of her father and the history surrounding Mercer, river transport and the Waikato River. She later wrote the biographical entry for Caesar Roose for the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography.

Jeanette established the Mercer Art and History Museum in memory of her father and to ensure that the history of his many achievements was recorded and preserved. In doing so, she created something much wider.

The museum became a home for the stories, photographs, objects and memories of the many people who lived and worked in Mercer and along te awa Waikato.

Jeanette also understood the importance of recording people in their own voices. The Mercer Museum Oral History Project recorded the memories of local people and their experiences of Mercer, the river, railway, rowing, industry and everyday community life. Jeanette herself was interviewed extensively, leaving a valuable record of her memories of her family, Tuoro Island, Caesar Roose, the Roose Shipping Company, Mercer, her nursing career, community work and the museum.

Those oral histories are now preserved in the Alexander Turnbull Library, with copies held by Mercer Art and History Museum.

For us at Mercer Art and History Museum, Jeanette’s legacy is very real.

Every photograph identified, every story recorded, every object cared for and every person who walks through the museum door continues something Jeanette began.

Ka mua, ka muri.
Walking backwards into the future.

We carry the knowledge of the past with us as we move forward.

Funeral details

Jeanette’s whānau, friends and the Mercer community are invited to come together to remember and celebrate her life.

Monday 12 October 2026
1.00pm
Mercer Rowing Club

The family has requested donations to the Mercer Rowing Club in lieu of flowers.

Jeanette’s stories, her work and her love for Mercer will remain part of this place for generations to come.

Sources

National Library of New Zealand, Jeanette Roose Thomas oral history record, Alexander Turnbull Library. National Library record

National Library of New Zealand, Mercer Museum Oral History Project, Alexander Turnbull Library. Mercer Museum Oral History Project

Te Ara, Dictionary of New Zealand Biography, Caesar Roose, biography written by Jeanette Roose Thomas. Caesar Roose biography

Waikato Times, death and funeral notice for Jeanette Rosemary Thomas. Jeanette Thomas notice

Thomas, Jeanette Roose and Norris, H. C., Grand Old Man of the River: Caesar Roose, 1986.