The ashes of the late Auckland drag personality Lady Penelope, aka Simon Blomfield, have been interred in a "beautiful but sad" graveside ceremony. Blomfield, remembered as having a theatrical flair and acute visual memory, died suddenly in mid-August last year. Around forty family and gay community friends gathered at Puhoi Cemetery, north of Auckland, yesterday afternoon for the interring of his ashes and the unveiling of a headstone. He was buried close to his father and sister. Notable amongst the group paying their respects were sister drag performers including Tess Tickle, Lola and Buckwheat, some in drag. "It was a beautiful but sad ceremony," says Karen Ritchie who also attended. "A lot of respectful words were said." The service was conducted by Keith King who had also officiated at Blomfield's funeral service. Those attending later retired to the Puhoi hotel for drinks and sandwiches arranged by Blomfield's mother, Barbara, and family.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Sunday, 10th August 2014 - 11:44am