Last year, Halie McEachen, a passionate reader, passed away at Wakari Hospital after battling multiple sclerosis (MS) for years. Her father, Stu McEachen, decided to honor her by erecting the 395th Lilliput library outside their home.
Halie’s love for literature was evident in her routine of visiting second-hand bookstores with her carer and filling up on books from various Lilliput libraries. Despite her MS diagnosis at 24 and the gradual decline in her health, she continued to enjoy stories through audiobooks, listening to over 1000 of them in her last year.
On her 45th birthday, Halie’s loved ones gathered for a joyous celebration at Wakari, only for her to pass away three days later. In her honor, the brightly colored Lilliput library stands as a beacon of her vibrant spirit, constantly changing as books come and go.
This touching tribute serves as a reminder of Halie’s love for reading and bright things, ensuring that her legacy lives on through the pages of countless stories.
laine.priestley@odt.co.nz
