When kindergarten pioneer Marie McFarland was interviewed by the Wanganui Herald in March 1962, she was about to open a new centre in Castlecliff.
Now the kindergarten in Cornfoot St which bears her name will celebrate its 50th anniversary on November 7, and recently her son and granddaughter met the children and teachers.
Mrs McFarland's son Joe Gibbs, a child of her first marriage, has moved back to Wanganui and had long wanted to visit the kindergarten named after his mother.
When he arrived with his daughter Irene, Mr Gibbs said he was surprised to find it far bigger than he remembered.
"They have done a wonderful job of expanding it and it's a lovely place for the kids," he said.
"I felt proud of the work mum did in setting up the kindergartens here. My younger sister Eleanor got to go to kindy and all mum's grandchildren too."
His daughter Irene Gibbs remembers attending Durie Hill Kindergarten and spending time with her grandmother, who always had orange cordial and nice biscuits for her grandchildren.
"We all lived on Durie Hill and we had a well-worn shortcut track from our house to hers and she would drive us all around in her little Ford Prefect.
"She had such strong motivation to help others and I guess that is her legacy, because all her grandchildren seem to be working in helping professions."
Mr Gibbs' youngest sister Eleanor attended a privately run centre at the St Barnabas' Hall on Durie Hill and Mrs McFarland's involvement grew from there.
She became one of the leaders in the formation of the Wanganui Free Kindergarten Society and was president for a number of years.
During the 1962 interview, Mrs McFarland was asked if she collected anything.
Her daughter Eleanor said: "She collects minutes of kindergarten meetings - she has bags of them.
Kindergarten was not her mother's only passion. She had previously managed a dress shop, a millinery (hat-making) business and her voluntary work included the Red Cross and the Wanganui League for the Hard of Hearing.
She became president of the league and, at an age when most women might have been putting their feet up, she was working for both organisations and still found time for a few rounds of golf with the Ladies Midweek Golf Club.
Mrs McFarland died aged 90 in 1991.
Marie McFarland Kindergarten is calling on those who have attended or worked at the kindergarten to register their interest in attending the anniversary by calling 06 344 4087 by October 20.