Laing O鈥橰ourke pays tribute to senior director, who died at the age of 54 earlier this month
Laing O鈥橰ourke has paid tribute to senior director Bernadette O鈥橰ourke, who died at the age of 54 on 5 May 2015.
Bernadette, a cousin of Laing O鈥橰ourke founder and chairman Ray O鈥橰ourke, was a senior director at the group, and held a wide range of roles including responsibility for protecting and promoting the group鈥檚 brand and leading the business鈥檚 corporate services function.
She joined R. O鈥橰ourke and Son in 1985 after completing a degree in 1983 at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, New Zealand.
She was responsible for establishing and initially leading the company鈥檚 Select plant hire division, and played a pivotal role in the acquisition of Laing Construction.
Bernadette鈥檚 funeral takes place today (Friday 22 May). It is intended that Laing O鈥橰ourke will hold a memorial service in June, with the date and venue to be decided.
Former director Paddy O鈥橰ourke, also a cousin of Bernadette, described her as a 鈥渂eacon for human endeavour and achievement鈥� and said 鈥渟he elicited the very best performance from people鈥�.
Paddy O鈥橰ourke said Bernadette 鈥渢ruly understood excellence in all things鈥�.
Read Paddy O鈥橰ourke鈥檚 full tribute below.
鈥楢 beacon of human endeavour and achievement鈥�
Bernadette O鈥橰ourke was born 26 October 1960 in Christchurch, New Zealand. She graduated on 5 May 1983 with a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Canterbury, Christchurch.
Bernadette O鈥橰ourke鈥檚 sudden death at her home on Tuesday, 5 May leaves an unbridgeable chasm in the lives of everyone who knew her, whether it be through her personal or her professional relationships. Her integrity was a constant that she established from the outset. It was the cornerstone upon which she built her relationships. It was always present in the manner she approached her responsibilities, be they personal or professional.
She was constant and committed to her immediate and extended family. Her duty of care was unfaltering and generous in an understated fashion. Likewise, in her professional life she engaged with authenticity and sincere interest. She elicited the very best performance from people. She expected no less and they knew it too because she constantly modelled it in her performance. She expected nothing more from anyone than she expected from herself. She always approached her decision-making from a measured perspective. She would not be confused or swayed by bias or emotional response. She was recognised and admired in this respect. Many were those who sought her judgment and counsel.
She truly understood excellence in all things. It was her distinguishing trait in every facet of her life. Style, elegance, and dignity pervaded all her accomplishments and achievements. Amazement and delight were occasioned in everyone who was touched by her professional work.
Bernadette was responsible for establishing and initially leading Select Plant Hire, and played a pivotal role in the acquisition of Laing Construction. A senior director of the group for many years, she held a wide range of roles including responsibility for protecting and promoting the group鈥檚 brand and leading the business鈥檚 corporate services function.
From the outset, when she joined R. O鈥橰ourke and Son in 1985 to her untimely death, she engendered her values in the corporate culture - be it branding companies, designing office facilities, standardising corporate cafes, establishing communication media, managing corporate affairs, or appointing security. Every project got the same detailed treatment and attention. She designed and planned the most private of business functions to the spectacular galas with equal detail and rigorous certainty. The result was always amazement, delight and appreciation.
Her influence and style pervades Laing O鈥橰ourke globally. It is profound and inestimable. Everyone in the organisation is affected and blessed for it.
Bernadette O鈥橰ourke鈥檚 life was one of committed service infused with the human touch of quiet, unpretentious generosity. She is a beacon of human endeavour and achievement.
Paddy O鈥橰ourke
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