Minneh Kane (Mary Karanja, Msongari '74 writes: I am very sad to have to inform you and the rest of the Loreto community of the death of our dear friend, Avril Nazareth on Saturday July 12.
Avril was in Msongari from Standard 1 to Form 6. She finished Form 6 in 1976. Avril was a wonderful person, keenly intelligent, well loved and greatly respected. In our last year at Msongari, Avril was Head Girl. For many years, Avril’s mother, worked in the administrative office at Loreto Msongari. I know that many, many ex-Loretos will be devastated by this news of Avril's untimely and unexpected death from Pancreatic Cancer at the age of 50.
Here is a note sent by her husband:
It is with
overwhelming sadness that I have to tell you that Avril has lost her battle
with cancer. She was admitted to Hospital during the afternoon of Friday
11th of July and died at 20:05 the following evening of Saturday 12th July.
Avril bore her pain and suffering with such dignity that few realised how
gravely ill she was. Avril was a wonderful person and I was always in awe of
her. However it was truly humbling to see how bravely she dealt with her
illness. The only consolation is that her pain and suffering is over.
Avril's sister Stephanie and I were able to hold her and comfort her and she
died quietly and peacefully with the dignity she had displayed throughout
her life.
Although I knew how ill she was I thought we had at least a few more months
together and it is a great shock for us to lose her so quickly. On the
morning of Friday 11th of July she was happily cooking fish curry with
Stephanie and washing clothes. It waswonderful to see her so full of life
and so devastating when she took such a sudden turn for the worse.
Judy Kennedy writes: I was informed that Alison Browse (1964) died very recently of cancer. I do not know the details but her sister-in-law Dee Cordingley (1964) is over in th UK. Alison's relations were all over to celebrate old Mrs Browse's 90th Birthday.
My information comes from Elvira Adam whose brother is a friend of Richard Browse.
From Ann Gillespie(Hopkins) Valley Rd 1967 – 74. Please could you include the following obituary for my mother Kay Hopkins who died suddenly from a stroke on 9th June 2008 in Wellington Somerset at the ripe old age of 79. She was a teacher at Valley Rd during the late 60’s and 70’s when she taught English, RE and even Swahili (although she was one chapter ahead of the pupils during the course.) She loved her time at Valley Rd and still talked about the many pupils she came into contact with- she could recall many names which I can only vaguely remember. When I was clearing out some of her personal things I came across the farewell card which had been signed by the pupils and there must have been over 150 signatures – she had obviously treasured it. She put on drama productions including The Merchant of Venice and at Christmas took pupils around Nairobi ,Carol singing in such venues as the Thorn Tree ,The Norfolk and Hilton to raise money for charity. She used to talk fondly of the nuns including Mary Owen, Teresina, Carmel, Consuela, Gerty to name but a few and I think maintained some correspondence with those still with us. She had 3 grandchildren who she was actively involved with and had just finished tutoring the youngest, Louise, on the poems of Keats and Dr Faustus for her A level exams!
She touched the lives of many and they in turn gave her much fulfilment and happiness.
Alan Palmer has contacted me with the sad news that Daniella Zappa (Msongari 1971) sadly passed away in March 2008 after a battle with cancer.
Catherine Kavuma has written that we have lost a dear friend who attended Mso' in the mid-70s (I believe she did her "O" Levels in 1976). Her name was Sally Sibo. She was a class ahead of me and she had a sister ahead of her called Stella Sibo. I actually work with their sister, Sylvia here at the World Bank. Sally passed away March 30, 200 in the evening in Kampala. She had bee working in Canada with UNESCO and came down to Washington, DC to be with her sister while she underwent chemotherapy (she had cancer). Unfortunately when no more could be done for her, it was decided that she go home to Uganda and spend her last days with her parents. Sally was always up-beat, always ready with a warm smile, very good at telling jokes and generally very pleasant. She was the same way till the end. May her soul rest in peace.
Pat Halahan (mother was Jane Stutchbury, Brian Stutchbury's sister) writes; I wanted to let you know that Jennifer Stutchbury, my aunt, passed away in August 2004. She is survived by her husband for many years Brian and her only daughter Johanna.
Margaret Bown (Margebown@Yahoo.co.uk) has advised me of the sad death of her nephew Errol Black in August 2006. He was the son of Margaret's twin Priscilla (nee Millar)
Pauline Canning has advised me that Mother Peter Claver (Msongari) died on the 13th December 2005 in Rathfarnham, Dublin
Anne Elliott (Breed) has emailed and writes with regret e on and .
My sisters-in-law - both have now unfortunately
passed away. Sue Dickenson (Breed) on 24th December 2005
who suffered for about 18months from Motor Neurone Disease - a really ghastly
disease. She remained very cheerful throughout although it must have been truly
awful for her.
Julia Breed (D'ademah) passed away on the 4th December 2003 having
suffered several years from Cancer. She
also was really cheerful right up to the end. The last few months were also
pretty awful for her.
It is with regret that Ron Bullock has advised me of the death of his mother, Mrs Florence Bullock, who passed away peacefully at the age of 95. Mrs Bullock taught sewing etc at Msongari Nairobi sometime in the late fifties. rbullock@fes.uwaterloo.ca (30/03/05)
I received the following email from Ala Tozzi
Silvana Lo Giudice Scalici passed away on Saturday 22 January at 23.30, in Catania. She had arrived from Singapore in early January as the doctors had decided that there way nothing more that could be done for her. Silvana bravely fought her battle against cancer with courage and she always had a smile on her face.
She was head girl at Valley Road Convent and a great sports woman. She was married to Guide Scalici who has just finished his term as Italian Ambassador to Singapore. A memorial service will be held in Rome 23rd February. I would like her to remember with the following poem.
You can shed tears that she is gone
or you can smile because she has lived.
You can close your eyes and pray that she'll come back
or you can open your eyes and see all she's left.
Your heart can be empty because you
can't see her
or you can be full of the love you shared.
You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday
or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.
You can remember her and only that
she's gone
or you can cherish her memory and let it live on.
You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back
or you can do what she'd want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on.
(15/02/05)
Judy Kennedy has advised me of the sad death of Muriel de Munck. Muriel died peacefully in her sleep before Christmas at the age of 65. (15/02/05)
It is with great sadness that we have heard of the death of Peggy Ker (nee Knight) on Saturday 29 January 2005. Our sympathies go to Peggy's family and friends. (01/02/05)
Michael McFarnell has passed on the sad news of the death of Pat Wells (Thompson) Msongari & Eldoret 1938 last year. Our condolences got to Pat's family and friends, particularly her sister Stella McFarnell (Thompson). (21/12/04)
The memorial service for Wendy (Allen) was held on the 29th October, 2004, at All Saints Church, Limuru.
Lead by Rev.Anita Smith, who
did a wonderful job. The leading hymn was "There is a green hill far away",
followed by a lovely reading by Melanie Allen (granddaughter). The Eulogy was by
Danton Vorster, who did a fine job of summing up Wendy and her extraordinary
life. There were other readings by Anita and Lorna Allen and a very sweet Gaelic
Blessing read by little Larissa Allen. The final hymn was "Lord of All
Hopefulness". All of Keith's family were there, which was so nice to see.
Another person travelling from USA was Nick's brother, Jeremy. Very emotional
for all. I think the highlight was all the grandaughters reading, and each one
did such a lovely job.
Ian Allen hosted a reception at his home, full of old-time folks. Although the
day before was a flood storm, this particular afternoon the sun shone and every
one commented that surely this was Wendy directing things from above.
Thank you to Margaret Bown, her brother Russell Millar and his wife Debbie for taking the time to send me the details. Debbie has painted a lovely picture of the occasion, and it sounds as though wee Wendy was given a good "kwaheri" (21/12/04)
Margaret Bown, (nee Millar - one of the Millar twins from Kisumu who attended Loreto, Eldoret, during the War Years) writes:
I am sorry to have to
pass on the sad news of the death of Wendy Allen, in Kenya, on the 14th
September, 2004.
Eldoret LOGs from the War Years will remember Wendy. daughter of "Fairy" and Andy Main from Kisumu, - who was usually in charge of various hockey teams, and was a popular "student".
Kitale friends will also remember Wendy and her late husband Nick Allen, and their three boys Keith (dec'd), Ian and Brian, who farmed in the Trans Nzoia.
After Nick's death Wendy moved to Nairobi, where she was an active and popular friend to many. Unfortunately during the last few years Wendy suffered declining health, and at the end her kidneys gave out. (15/11/04)