Female motorcyclists from around the central North Island will converge on Te Awamutu tomorrow (Friday) for the funeral of Donna Gaye McCauley.
The 51-year-old died last week at Te Poi near Matamata following a crash between her Harley Davidson motorbike and a vehicle.
Angel in disguise
Donna McCauley at Lake Karāpiro during the International Female Ride Day earlier this month. Photo: Shirley Warner Photography.
Despite the best efforts of emergency services, Donna passed away at the scene a short time later. Police Serious Crash Unit are investigating the crash.
Donna joined 225 fellow female riders on May 4 for International Female Ride Day around Waipā – hosted by the Waikato community of Litas – and told The News she loved the adrenalin that came with riding her motorbike.
Donna McCauley and friend Mel Duff of Hamilton during the ride.
Her children Cameron and Shanyn said their mother was “so proud” about the write up.
“She shared it to her Facebook page for everyone to see and sent it privately to her close friends and family to rave about. She just thought it was wicked,” said Shanyn.
Donna was born in Tauranga, brought up in Te Puke, lived in Rotorua and then settled in Te Awamutu after meeting her now fiancé Paul Mossley. She worked in Purchasing and Inventory at Fonterra Te Awamutu.
“Mum loved motorbikes, whether it was riding with her friends, riding with Paul or riding as part of an event.
“She just absolutely thrived from it and loved her Harley Davidson so much.
“She also enjoyed sewing and knitting and was always making baby clothes for anyone she knew who was having a baby,” said Shanyn.
Donna McCauley loved tattoos.
She loved being part of the community and baked for Good Bitches Baking and was a volunteer for Musika’s Gifts and fundraised for people in need.
“She was always thinking of other people and was such a kind person with a big heart. However, you never wanted to be on her bad side as she wasn’t afraid to voice her opinion and stand her ground,” said Shanyn.
Friends and family described her as a beautiful lady, great company, bubbly, fun, always happy, always swearing and she had an infectious laugh that brightened the darkest of days.
She was covered head to toe in tattoos, said Shanyn.
“We love all of these things about her. Mum reached and touched so many people, there will be a massive hole left in so many people’s lives as a result of her kindness.
“It is just truly devastating, things like this should not happen to people like her, especially at her age.”
Her favourite quote was ” A few bad chapters does not mean your story is over.”
Friend Mel Duff of Hamilton who was with her on the ride last week and earlier in the month, said she was convinced Donna was an angel in disguise.
“She earned her wings – fly free, little princess,” said Mel.
The funeral is at 11am and the motorcyclists will afterwards accompany Donna to Newstead in Hamilton for her cremation.
Donna is survived by her finance Paul, two children Cameron and Shanyn, granddaughter Billie and parents Gaye and Gordon McCauley.
See: Waipa motorcyclist dies in crash, Motorcyclists empower women
Donna McCauley
Donna McCauley at Lake Karāpiro during the International Female Ride Day earlier this month. Photo: Shirley Warner Photography.
Waipā rider Donna McCauley on her Harley Davidson with friend Mel Duff of Hamilton wait on the Cambridge Town Hall piazza for the International Female Riders’ Day to get underway. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
