Passing of Rangi Muller

It is with a heavy heart the I have to report the passing of a grand old lady of New Zealand softball.
Rangi Muller passed away in Rotorua on the 8th of February, aged just short of 95 years.
She was born in April 1925, in Rotorua - April Dorothea Rangikahiwa Corbett, but was known as Snooky or Rangi.
Her parents were Te Waiatua Levuka Corbett & Kataraina Kapuaiterangi Macpherson
Rangi played softball for New Zealand in January 1962 in the Test Series against Australia.
In the programme for the 1962 Three Test Series it said
“Rangi Muller – Another player with a wealth of talent and experience over many seasons in the game. Has represented Wellington for the past 14 years, with both North Island and NZ honours in that time. An outfielder of sound ability and a tremendous batter when runners are on bases. Rangi plays for the Miramar Club in Wellington and enjoys Indoor Basketball and Mountaineering.”
In the programme for the 1965 tour to Australia it said
Muller (No 15) Married. Typist with the Department of Maori Affairs. Outfield. Commenced playing softball in Rotorua for the West End Club. Represented Rotorua until her transfer to Wellington in 1952, where she joined the Marist and later the Miramar Clubs. She has represented Wellington since 1953. Rangi represented New Zealand against Australians in the International matches in 1962. She is a fast outfielder and a most reliable batter. Hobbies - Basketball, Tennis, Swimming and Bush-walking.”
An extract from a Hawke’s Bay newspaper about the Bensel Cup final in Wellington
quotes “In field play, Miss Neil, Hawke’s Bay, and Mrs Ward, Wellington, shone in the outfield and R Muller in the Wellington infield.”
She played for the Island Bay Club in Wellington in for many years including 1971/72 to 1976/77.
Rangi Muller also played for the Wellington Evergreens and attended the 1992 Tournament in Horowhenua, the 1996 tournament in Christchurch, 1999 Tournament in Manawatu where she was voted “Personality of the Tournament”, the 2000 Tournament in Auckland and the 2005 Tournament in Rotorua, where she was presented with a trophy for “The Oldest Player at the Tournament.
Rangi was married for many years to Zdenek Richard Muller, who died in 1997, they had no children.

John W Mudgway.