Directions
Directions to the Symons’ plot can be located at this link from the FindaGrave website.
Project History
September 2025
In September 2025, we launched a fundraising campaign for the Symon’s family plot which is unmarked. Read the history of this plot and our progress below.
In June 2024 we shared the story about Phillis Symons’ life, and her untimely death when she was murdered in 1931 by George Coates. Since her death Phillis has been in an unmarked grave, alongside her mother Mary who passed away in 1947. The story generated a great amount of public support in fundraising for a memorial for Phillis. Since that time, we have been working on locating the closest living family members and working with the council to make sure we could provide a memorial for her that was appropriate and acknowledged Phillis.
We are excited to share that in partnership with the family that we are now in the process of fundraising for a memorial for Phillis and her mother. We want to provide a suitable headstone and surround for the plot. -Donations are now closed-.
December 2025
The work on the plot is well underway with the concrete ledger and plinth for the headstone now in place. We’re just $600 away from our fundraising target of $2,800. -Donations are now closed-
14 March 2026
On Saturday 14th March, the Friends hosted Family and Donors for the unveiling of the Phillis and Mary Symons headstone.
The public support for this has been amazing. We had 70 donations on our Givealittle page, and this was added to our and the family’s contribution to be able to have a long-lasting memorial for Phillis in the cemetery.
The family had asked us to share a prayer that was said on their behalf on Saturday:
We are here today to honour the life of Phillis Avis Symons and her unborn baby. Their lives mattered to you, and they matter to us and to many others. Those of us who knew her family, and those who didn’t, but know only her story. We ask your Blessing on this gravesite that also holds the body of Phillis’ mother Mary. We ask your blessing and peace for her family, relatives, and friends of the family, those who mourn her passing. Bless those who have worked towards organizing this headstone and this memorial service, those who have contributed financially or with their time and energy. Especially we acknowledge the Friends of Karori Cemetery who work tirelessly to honour those who have gone before. Most of all, we pray for Peace for Phillis, that her spirit may dwell with you, and that she will know eternal joy and rest in Your presence.
On behalf of the family and the Friends thanks once again for your support.
Kieran Williams
Friend of Karori Cemetery Chairperson
28 March 2026
To acknowledge the unveiling of the headstone, the Friends of Karori Cemetery invited members of the public to visit her final resting place and lay a flower in remembrance. We will also gave a brief talk about who Phillis was and her story..
On the day, we collected donations for Wellington Women’s Refuge in her memory.
The talk we gave near the Symons’ plot in Church of England 2 section on 28 March 2026.
This event now concludes the Phillis Symons’ headstone project.