After studying at Whangārei High School, which was the forerunner to Whangārei Girls’ and Boys’ High Schools, Campbell became a nurse.
To get to her job, she had to cycle from Taipuha to Paparoa and back each day: a 28km journey that took about two hours.
Campbell said she loved nursing but had to give it up after injuring her back, then developing eczema and finally contracting measles.
She found work as a machinist in a clothing factory but, with an adventurous spirit, she decided to see the world, taking the six-week boat ride to the UK at the age of 28.
Campbell said she had a lovely time in the UK, where there were plenty of New Zealanders who all acted like family.
Pania Campbell-Simpkin (from left) says the extraordinary life of her mother Edna Campbell includes cleaning for Jimi Hendrix. Photo / Denise Piper
Her varied work included welding aircraft panels, childminding and working as a chambermaid for accommodation providers.
It was while working as a chambermaid in London that Campbell met world-renowned guitar legend Jimi Hendrix, cleaning his room during his extensive stay at a bed and breakfast.
Campbell remembered Hendrix as softly spoken and polite, with plenty of guitars and a lovely girlfriend.
Despite being at the height of his fame, he shunned the publicity, Campbell said.
It wasn’t until years later, when Campbell-Simpkin was watching a documentary about Jimi Hendrix, that Campbell realised the fame of the guitar legend, rated the best in the world.
“He was a very nice person and nothing like the press said,” she said.
Edna Campbell says Jimi Hendrix was a very nice man who shunned publicity.
Campbell’s overseas adventures continued with work childminding in Austria.
She married in the UK and had Pania there, with the family moving back to New Zealand in 1974, when Pania was 4.
Because of her husband’s Government job, the family shifted around the North Island, moving towns every couple of years.
Campbell found joy in sports – including fencing, scuba diving and wood chopping – plus was a talented painter and writer, her daughter said.
She also spent decades volunteering for Bibles in Schools, inspired by the teachings she received as a child, continuing the work into her 80s.
Edna Campbell worked as a nurse (left) plus used to scuba dive for a feed.
“That was very nice: I loved teaching the children the Bible,” she said.
In 2017, Campbell-Simpkin started working with Radius Care in Northland, moving her mother into the same village to ensure her good care.
While Campbell-Simpkin has moved around Northland and had a career break, the two remained close, she said.
Now, Campbell-Simpkin and her three-legged dog Gizmo travel from Dargaville to Potter Home in Whangārei each day, with the rest home like a big family, she said.
“Now approaching her 92nd year, Edna’s life is a beautiful reminder that ordinary people can have the most extraordinary stories,” Campbell-Simpkin said.
Edna Campbell goes on a flight on a two-seater plane, as a present from her daughter for her 89th birthday.
“From a small farm in Northland, to cycling miles to care for her community, travelling across the world, unknowingly working for a music legend, meeting famous people and giving so much back to others, Edna’s journey has been nothing short of remarkable.”
Denise Piper is a news reporter for the Northern Advocate, focusing on health and business. She has more than 20 years in journalism and is passionate about covering stories that make a difference.