As I wrote in her birthday tribute in 2018, “you are worthy to be admired as enshrined in your name, Admire.”
It is hard to believe that 6 years later, you are no longer with us…”Time like an ever-rolling stream bears all it’s sons (and daughters) away; they fly forgotten as a dream dies at the opening day.” (Words from Isacc Watts hymn - O God our Help in Ages Past).
Aunty Mire left an indelible mark and memory on us of her faith and love for God which for her was not about religion but a relationship with her dear heavenly father and a passion to fellowship with Christians , which she expressed through her Catholic faith.
Her faith was both private and public punctuated by daily prayers at home and attendance as Mass during the week and on Sundays. This rhythm was so much part of her DNA that whenever she travelled to the UK, she made sure that I was available to take her to her Anglo-Catholic Church in Streatham where she was loved and well-known which was initially puzzling, given that she was only in the UK, once a year and at best for about 4 weeks. So how was she so well-loved…it’s all in the name…Admire!
But it wasn’t just her faith, it was her personality, her beautiful smile, her sartorial elegance and the gold…oh yes the gold jewellery of the highest quality…how can you miss such a woman?
We fondly remember her sending our children (Dionne and Denzil who were about 13 and 11 yrs at the time) “Dionne/Denzil, go bring me drugs…” The children looked at us alarmed, shocked and confused because what registered in their heads was the word ‘drugs’! Having grown up in the UK, for them, drugs had a negative connotation. We had to quickly explain that Aunty meant her medication and after that initial shock, those requests, brought a smile to their lips now that they knew what Aunty meant.
Perhaps just one more thing that I admired Aunty for was about her dedication, sacrifice and profound love for her family, especially her four children, though she was a widow for about 28 years. She parented and made sure her children and grandchildren were well cared for and brought up in the faith to know the God she loved and served. We thank God that she lived long and well to see her children, her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
As a family we will cherish all the lovely moments we had with Aunty in the UK (as some of the photos will attest). Her love for Cadbury chocolate, Earl Grey Tea and Baileys, (to name a few of her favourite things). But now in heaven, she is enjoying much more than that in the presence of the God she worshipped and admired.
Rest in peace Aunty Mire and may you rise in glory through the mercy of God.
Admired by Ian, Vicky, Dionne and Denzil.