Marchella Persico – Funeral Director

After working as an Orthodontic Auxiliary for the past 15 years, Marchella decided it was time to look into the dream I had of becoming a funeral director.

Marchella started working for Days Funeral Services in 2021. She finds it very rewarding being able to care for the deceased and provide them with dignity and respect in their final journey and helping support the families in my care while they navigate through such difficult times.

Outside of work, she is raising 3 sons with her husband and enjoying family time, while fitting in study for the New Zealand Diploma in Funeral Directing and being secretary for the Nelson Italian Club.

Liz Dennis – Funeral Director

Dip FD

Born and raised in Gore, Southland, Liz had owned and operated her own funeral home in Gore for the last 11 years, she has now just relocated with her family to Nelson and joined the team at Marsden House.

Liz obtained her Funeral Directing Diploma in 2014.

I enjoy meeting people from all sides of life, often at a time when they are vulnerable and in need of guidance – it is a privilege to help and support families, and to develop a relationship with every family. Liz finds one of the most rewarding aspects of being a F.D is helping to facilitate families in saying goodbye to their loved ones and help them to create a meaningful farewell.

In her downtime Liz enjoys going to the gym, gardening, her mainecoon cats, spending time with family and taking one of their cars to the car shows with her husband.

Stephen Roberts – Funeral Director and Embalmer

A background in nursing has given Stephen a lifetime of working with people who have experienced some form of loss. With time spent in oncology and then orthopaedic wards,  Stephen has worked with patients and their families through times of illness and trauma. Because his professional life has always involved helping families manage their loss, it is not surprising Stephen was drawn to the funeral industry.  He says his role as a funeral director and embalmer is a natural fit for him. Stephen believes it is a privilege to be invited into the ‘cocoon’ of a family at their time of loss. He appreciates the stories they share with him and the warmth they show for their loved ones. He says it’s heart warming to see the way families come together and the support they give each other during a difficult and emotional time. In his workshop at home, away from people, Stephen finds solace amongst his old carpentry hand tools. He says he is ‘energized by the quietness’ there and finds it restorative to turn offcuts of rimu wood into furniture – although he confesses that sometimes the result is just sawdust. He and his wife attend Grace Church and enjoy tramping.

Image courtesy of Nelson Tasman Tourism.