Carmen Rupe Carmen’s sister and niece have released a letter in which they express confidence in a Trust which has been set up in their late relation’s name, saying she stated in her will she wished for it to be created. Concerns have been expressed about the speed of the Sydney-based Carmen Rupe Memorial Trust’s establishment, and the Trust creator Kelly Glanney’s claims she was a longtime neighbour and close friend of Carmen’s. There has been a storm of criticism of the Trust on Facebook since Carmen’s longtime friend Jacquie Grant posted her concerns, with many others coming forward to also share their unease over the issues she has raised. In a letter dated 24 March, Carmen’s sister Tess Hemapo says she and her daughter Chanette find it “very disappointing that certain people have been spreading distasteful and false rumours in an effort to undermine the CRMT before it even gets off the ground. This is all the more upsetting for us because they do this under the pretence of acting to protect Carmen’s legacy and/or the interests of Carmen’s family. My family and I feel very sad about this and Carmen certainly doesn’t deserve this.” Tess Hemapo says her daughter Chanette has been appointed to the Trust and will from now on be the only person to speak on behalf of Carmen’s family. She says Chanette is a joint executor of Carmen’s estate and major beneficiary of her will, as Carmen trusted her. “We ask that all of you who loved and admired Carmen please ignore those terrible rumours and do what you can to support the important work of the CRMT,” Tess Hemapo says. “I pray that everything for Carmen goes well, in the name of Jesus, and feel sure that Carmen would love what the CRMT is doing in her name.” You can discuss this New Zealand gay community news story in the GayNZ.com Forum.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Wednesday, 28th March 2012 - 11:03am