Our People
We are a team of warm, caring professionals who consider what we do to be a calling, not a job.
As members of the Funeral Directors Association of New Zealand (FDANZ), we follow a strict Code of Ethics and a Code of Conduct.
And as people living and working in Blenheim, we look for ways to support our community. These include our annual December Remembrance and Candle Lighting Service—an opportunity for anyone who has lost someone special to honour their memory. We’re also proud sponsors of the Taylor River Writers’ Walk.
Meet the team
Chelsea Brown DIP FD
Manager/Funeral Director
Bob Barnes
Funeral Director
Bob’s been with Sowman’s since 2019. He loves working with people and brings a broad perspective on life, having been an Anglican priest for many years and spending 14 years as a volunteer ambulance officer.
Bob and wife Libby moved to Blenheim from Waikato in 2012 and have bought their own home here. They have four adult children and five grandchildren.
Bob is a member of the Blenheim Riverside Railway Society. He also enjoys cycling, mountain biking, gardening, and—most of all—spending time with Libby.
Angelina Davies
Funeral Director/Embalmer
Fran White
Funeral Director/Embalmer
Tim Brown DIP EMB
Head Embalmer
Faye Partridge Dip. Bus Admin
Administrator & Designer
Faye joined the Sowman’s team in March 2008, after 26 years running her own secretarial/desktop publishing service. She holds a Diploma in Business Administration.
Born and raised in Blenheim, Faye is married to Bruce and has three adult sons, five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
She enjoys spending time with family and friends, and loves getting outside to garden, walk, cycle and make the most of the beautiful Marlborough environment. Getting away in the motorhome with two Burmese cats is a great adventure.
Alistair Sowman
Alistair was born in Blenheim and spent the majority of his life in the district. He worked with his parents Geoffrey and Rita Sowman at Geoffrey T Sowman Ltd. Alistair served as Mayor of Marlborough from 2004–2016.