We celebrate the life of Daphne Tuck and are grateful for her many years of service in SIM.  Daphne passed away into her eternal home on Thursday 17 July 2025.

Daphne’s active service with SIM began in 1957 when she, her husband, Ashley, and two year old daughter left for Lagos, Nigeria.  Their ministry with SIM’s Christian Literature programme at the Niger Challenge Press spanned 15 years.  In 1972 they relocated to Sudan to assist in the work there.  Two years later, they returned to New Zealand settling in Putaruru to enable their family of four children, Dyanne, Stan, Ivan, and Lynette, to become established as New Zealanders.

In 1987, thirteen years later, Ash and Daphne moved to Auckland to be part of the SIM NZ home ministry staff.  Daphne had a wonderful ministry of preparing the prayer notes for the SIM magazine and SIM prayer groups.  She also produced the bi-monthly updates on all the SIM NZ missionaries with news on what was happening in the areas where they were working.

Daphne truly had a gift of hospitality.  She was amazing in the way she provided meals for the quarterly Board meetings and had missionaries stay in their home when they were visiting the office.  Her welcoming smile and embrace as missionaries returned for home assignment, were so special and meant a lot to each one.

Daphne was a great encourager and this was evident in the 2 ½ month trip back to Africa that Ash and Daphne made at the end of 1989. They caught up with 23 SIM NZ missionaries serving in eight African countries and the USA.  Her interest in people, prayerful support and encouragement made her such a good fit for her role.

We appreciate the gracious way Daphne served her Lord.  She would quietly put her hand to many tasks, big and small. She was a wonderful example for all of us.  We are thankful and recognise her faithful service over many years.