Born Sarah Marjorie Greville, London, 1950. English and Scottish antecedents on father’s side, five generations of New Zealanders on mother’s.
Moved to New Zealand aged 18 months. Childhood idyllic and disruptive (five primary schools). Most closely identifies with Longbush, Wairarapa. Secondary schooling at Woodford House in Havelock North, then University of Canterbury and later Victoria University.
Married Dimitrios (Taki) Gaitanos (actually Gaitanakis – both changed names) in London in 1975. Imported him to NZ.
After a year teaching in Masterton, moved to Lower Hutt. Juggled bringing up three sons with part-time work as a teacher, freelance journalist and oral historian. This work led naturally to writing biography.
For more, see post on Anzac Day 2020.
