Esme Irene Tombleson CBE QSO (née Lawson; 1 August 1917 – 30 July 2010) was a New Zealand politician of the National Party.
She represented the Gisborne electorate in Parliament for 12 years, and was prominent as a campaigner for multiple sclerosis.
During World War II she served in the Women's Auxiliary Signalling Corps in Sydney, where her sharp memory was recognised.
As she knew nothing about farming, this was an area where her husband was a clear superior to her, and she found the experience interesting.
[10] She was awarded the New Zealand 1990 Commemoration Medal in 1990,[11] and made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the 1993 New Year Honours, for services to multiple sclerosis and the community.
[14] She received the "rarely awarded" gold medal for distinguished services to multiple sclerosis in 1987.
[2] The MS Society of New Zealand offers Esme Tombleson Awards at its annual general meetings.