REMEMBRANCE
Remembrance of Sis. Mary Winifred Eyre
(Reflection - January 2005)
Speaking of her as a typist – I remember in the early days, the preparing of the ecclesial magazine, know as the Caribbean Pioneer, was the total responsibility of Mary. She had to type up all the articles that were sent in and she did this on a manual typewriter as there were no computers around in these days. She had to collate the pages and then stapled them together in order to produce the finished product. Everything had to be done by hand and that was on a monthly basis.
This multitalented sister was a source of inspiration and motivation to us the sisters especially. She was a role model for us. We learnt so much from her, and not just verbally and physically by her hands but by just patterning and imitating her attitudes and conduct and zeal towards the things of God that mattered so much to her.
Most of us Jamaican sisters are a bit fussy about the way we dress. Not so with Sis Mary. She dressed simply and modestly. Even in her speech she was soft-spoken, but polite and gracious words came from her lips. Even if she had to reprove or to rebuke for something that went wrong, she never frowned, she never shouted, she did it with such grace and politeness that no spark of offence dare to enter into your mind.
I remember Sis Mary as a lover of people and especially children and young people. Apart from dealing with us at the church level, she invited us to her home, individually and in groups, and the youngsters would sometime spend long periods with her and her family, especially in the holidays.
Sis Mary’s hospitality knew no bounds. She actually mothered and schooled youngsters that were not hers biologically. No wonder she is so lovingly called ‘Mom’ by most of the young people. Even now that they have become adults, they still refer to her as ‘Mom.’
After over 40 years of assiduously hard work, unflinching devotion and loyal dedication in the service of her Lord and Master, she began to experience the ‘winter’ of her days. Her health began to fail, her body began to grow weary with the illness; she could no longer cope with the usual hard work, but she did what she could. She wrote articles for the Caribbean Pioneer while she was on her sick bed and dictated the recent ones to her husband as her mind was still sharp: “I understand, but I can’t write.”
As her end drew near, I am sure that she was comforted with the thought of the coming Glory when forever troubles cease, for she knew the blessed story, that there shall be endless peace.
May she rest in that Peace in God’s
glorious Kingdom
When Christ returns to select his own.