Condolence: TRIBUTE IN HONOUR OF MY SISTER, MARIE ANTONIA CLARE LOMAS NEE DWORZAK

Marie was first of four children born to Anton and May Dworzak, in Freetown, Sierra Leone, West Africa. Since our early childhood she made sure we knew she was big sister and she played that role well with a no nonsense attitude. But she was a kind disciplinarian, in a way, as she displayed fairness in all her dealings with us. She was very protective of us especially outside our home.

With Marie around we were sure no one would take advantage of us. Not even our teachers! I remember one episode with my form teacher, a Religious Sister, who never liked senior pupils to participate in extracurricular activities. I loved playing Rounders and Netball and worst of all I was a committed Girls Guide. Sister thought I should give up all those activities and devote more time to extra studies or else she would not allow me to take my School Leaving Certificate exams. I was shocked because I was doing well in my school work and saw no reason for me to be held back. Marie was then teaching at the Primary School next door; so of course I ran over to her and related what had happened. She instantly came over with me and confronted the Sister. The Sister told her it was for my own good as she thought I would benefit more by spending more time with my studies. I was not held back despite the fact that I continued with my extracurricular activities. That was Marie; very brave and bold enough to take up challenges.

I think Marie was the bravest of us all. Just like our Dad. Her bravery took her to East Germany in the days of the Berlin Wall; to New Guinea, South Pacific; even to Canada, Montreal and in her later years to Vancouver; all these places so far away from home in West Africa.

Marie made friends easily; be you rich or poor; little or big; great or small. She always said all men and women are born equal. These attributes accorded her a great time in Sierra Leone. She was always going for weekend holidays to friends working in the Provinces of Sierra Leone. She also went visiting friends leaving in Monrovia, Liberia, and in Bamenda, Cameroun. Not many of her colleagues visited friends in other West African Countries, in those days.

Marie liked partying. She and her school friends formed a social group of the EX-pupils Association, the Gorretti Group, which business is to organize parties to relax after a busy week at work. She also enjoyed going on outings to the various beaches along the Freetown Peninsular, with other groups of friends. There was never a dull moment with Marie. She really enjoyed her life.

Marie was very active in the Church also and was committed to her Church Organizations. She was founding member of the Catholic Women Association and the Ladies Auxiliary of the Knights of St. John.

I met Ken, my husband, through Marie. I came home on holidays whilst I was at University. We had attended our cousin, Inez Thomas’s son’s christening party, and Marie had asked Ken to give us a ride home after the party. Ken gave us a ride, but Marie never made any introductions. When we got home Ken invited himself into the house and we all sat down chatting. Ken found the opportunity to introduce

himself and offered to take me out on another occasion. This was how it started. But Marie was not too sure if she wanted me to go out with Ken; as then, being a young eligible man, he had a reputation of ‘dating girls and dropping them like hot loaves’. As I said before Marie was very protective as big sister. She warned me to be careful of Ken and not to go to his flat under any circumstances. I heeded. The only time I visited Ken’s flat then was when he invited all three sisters for drinks. Despite his reputation I found him a gentleman and grew fond of him. Our friendship grew from a distance and four years after he proposed marriage and I accepted. Marie always teased Ken about when we first met, telling him she found him a wife and he should be grateful to her..

Marie was very meticulous, tidy and always punctual. She tried to inculcate those virtues in us as kids growing up. She would make sure we made our beds in the mornings and kept our room clean and tidy. She always had her own bedroom. Margarette, my younger sister, and I shared our bedroom. Marie would also make sure we do not leave our light on. She was on top of things. That is why we respected her as big sister.

Marie would never forget birthdays, wedding anniversaries and other festivities. She was nearly always the first to call. We missed her call last Sunday, Easter day. We are surely going to miss her usual calls when she would not have heard from us for a while and also those birthday calls.

Marie never told me she was ill. As usual I guess she did not want us to get worried. But I wish she had and I would have tried by all possible means to be with her during her last days. I will treasure our last conversation when I told her I would have loved to be with her but circumstances did not permit. She told me she understood and knew how I felt. I felt so hopeless then. But I was pleased both Ken and I spoke with her those dying minutes.

Ken and I will always treasure the many times we shared together, especially the last time we all met at Ayorinde’s , our son’s, wedding in London. We had a great time. I thank God we were all there.

To Ebun and Anton, we send our deepest condolences. Only time and with God’s grace will you feel peace returning. Think of the good times you shared and talk to Mum/Nana as if she is still around. Of course she will be around to make sure you do the right things and to take care of you. She loved you both very, very much. Hush ya!

To Musu and Steven, what can I say? You have been the greatest gift Marie had in Vancouver. I can only say a big thank you and that the Good Lord will richly reward you for all the help and love you gave to Marie. God Bless you and your kids.

To Nora and all those who made my sister’s life great in that far away land, Vancouver, I say thanks for everything. Again I pray that the Good Lord will Bless you all richly.

I thank God for Marie’s rich life which she so generously shared with us all. We will always love and think of you. We pray for your gentle soul to rest in the perfect peace of Christ Jesus.

.

From Antoinette and Ken Fergusson

10 Abraham Drive

Juba Hill

Freetown, Sierra Leone.

Condolence: My name is N'chicka Khyne - Sam (Mrs Mary Khyne-Sam's granddaughter) and this is the tribute from Mrs Khyne-Sam on behalf of members of Goretti group - St Joseph's ex pupils association U.K.


Thank you.

Condolence: Marie, you were a shining example for myself and Trudi in your daily prayerful life and your service in the Church.

May you continue to your everlasting reward that God has prepared for you when you come into his Glory.

May God in his mercy grant you a safe lodging, a holy rest, and peace at last through Jesus Christ Our Lord.

Continue to pray as you did in life for us, Marie when you come into His Kingdom as we will continue with our prayers in remembrance of you.

May God forever bless you.

Amen.

Your loving Brother Tony

Condolence: Our Tributes to Marie Lomas

Marie was a light in my life, a good friend, and someone who gave me inner strength. She instilled moral values in me as a child, and always continued to show me the importance and power of love over hate.
I remember many nights when she and I would read prayers from my prayer book, and we would pray for all those who were close to us or were in need. Marie always had a positive outlook on life. She taught me to be calm, to use my head, and believe in myself when in tough situations.
I recall the Saturdays when I looked forward to her delicious cooking and her “secret sauce`` that I still don`t know the exact recipe for it There were times when she accompanied me to my music lessons, and I am appreciative of her support for my passion for music throughout the years. I also thank her for the relief she gave my Mom where she was working. I think they made a good team, helping to take care and raise me when a child.
I feel happy and honoured to have known Marie! I will carry with me always the shared memories, and the love she gave . We pray that God will comfort and guide her as she embarks on this next journey.

Corinna Shen

Marie, a pillar of strength, a devoted caregiver, was best of all, our friend.
. She first came to my aid at a critical time when Corinna was sixteen months old. It worked well from that beginning. Through the years, she became a stabilizing presence , someone who was not only clear headed, practical but caring in her strong loving manner. We pray that in this Easter season of Christ’s resurrection , that she
has all the blessings of the Lord. May she rest in peace! Thank you,
Marie.

Jane Shen

Condolence: A TRIBUTE TO MY LATE AUNTY MARIE AND GODMOTHER FROM THE DEPTH OF MY HEART.

By Dr Kenneth Fergusson.

I am honoured to write a tribute about my late Aunty Marie who also happened to be my Godmother. She was not only a cheerful, fun loving lady who was full of life, but also a disciplinarian who was feared by me especially as I was a mischievous little prankster who will on occasions not wanting to abide by the rules of not wanting to go to bed early or waking up early.

Memories from her younger sister (my mum) mentioned when late Aunty Marie will baby sit for me over 40 years ago; that I will be running round in circles with a nappy on and refusing to take a bath before bedtime (a classic reoccurrence by my youngest son) and Aunty Marie will say "me ar nor go able dis oh!"

I remembered when both my parents were out of town and my late sister and I were staying with her and my late grandmother at Madongo Town in Freetown, Sierra Leone as she lived there before her emigration to Canada; Aunty Marie like any mother will make sure that we went to bed early and woke up early for breakfast before we went to school. I vividly remembered her orange juice in the morning without any sugar! A ritual that was always so painfully present at the time which she will say "drink it you...it's good for you!" And it will be drunk with a breath holding technique in order not to get the full taste of the "concoction".

Aunty Marie was an ardent reader. She loved her novels and I must say, that my love for reading did come from her as I could remember her reading her novels in her bedroom with her reading spectacles halfway down her nose and the stern look that will be resonated if you do make a noise that she deemed unacceptable.

Pleasant memories also came into mind when I; in the company of my mum and late sister will pay her several visits to her office on Howe Street where she worked for the Catholic Relief Services (CRS). She will be there in her office expecting us/half expecting us with a lovely radiant smile. Aunty Marie also joined us for Christmas lunches when we were at Kissy Dock Yard and the whole family will sit around the Christmas table, opening Christmas crackers and exchanging presents after dinner.

When Aunty Marie finally left Freetown to emigrate to Canada (I think in 1990), I remember the feeling of emptiness she left behind which was not only experienced by her sibling sister (my mum) and her mum (my grandma), but also her numerous friends; and of course us her nephew and late niece.

As I got older, my aunty Marie always made an effort to stay involved in my life. Communication with aunty Marie was by the good old telephone (courtesy of Sierratel) which will be on Christmas periods and birthdays. I then saw Aunty Marie in 1998 when she came to pay her last respect to her mum; my grandmother when she passed away. She could not believe that the little boy she left behind was a good few inches taller than her with a baritone voice.

Following this, again communication with aunty Marie was via telephone, and I remembered graduating from medical school some time ago her phone call to me expressing how proud she was that a young medic is now in the family.

Aunty Marie travelled to The UK in 2008 wherein she attended my wedding and you could see how happy she was to have been present at that occasion. I danced with her and she said "Oh my dear Ayorinde..da small borbor nar im don turn big man so tae e don marade". Aunty Marie also paid another visit to The UK in 2009, wherein she spent some time with her youngest sibling (Uncle Tony) only to now realise that it was the last time I saw her in person.

When my aunt was diagnosed with Cancer some weeks ago it was a very difficult time for our entire family. Vivid memories of similar experiences came flooding through me which I must confess; I found it difficult to accept. I remember speaking with her on the phone to Vancouver; how strong she was in her faith. She was positive in her conversations despite the inevitable pathway that I knew when my cousin Ebun sent the results of her investigations to me. I was distraught, angry, emotional and helpless as there was nothing one can do at this stage.

Aunty Marie had been there for me at a young age up till the time of her passing and I could remember her saying some years back that she will really like to meet my sons. Travelling to Vancouver to see her with my sons was a dream that never became reality.

I will miss my aunty Marie's smile and positive attitude. She was an incredible sister, mother, grandmother, aunty, godmother and friend. She will be missed by a lot of people. We will keep every member of the family in our prayers (Ebun, Rethabile, Antoinette, Margaret, Tony, nieces and nephews, the Vancouver extended family and friends).

I wish you peace Aunty Marie and will always remember you and love you.

May your Gentle Soul Rest In Peace.

Condolence: Dear Ebun, May God be with and comfort you and the family at this time of loss and grief. May Auntie Marie's soul rest in perfect peace. Ebun P-B and Auntie Louise.

Condolence: Our heartfelt sympathy to the family of our dear cousin Marie. It was a blessing having her as part of the Dworzak family and we will cherish memories of good times spent together as family. May the good Lord bless her and may light perpetual shine upon her. R.I.P.

Condolence: When we met Mamarie 24 years ago, little did we know what a big part of our lives she would be. She has been there with us through every significant family milestone. Our wedding, birth and dedication of our children, the death of one child and three parents, graduations, baptisms, birthdays and of course Christmas dinners, with her Christmas pudding over the years. Our life in Vancouver has been lovingly enriched by her presence and participation, evidenced by the fact that to our children she was simply Grandma Marie: a member of the family.

For this reason, we join with you, Ebun and Anton, in thanking God for her life and for the blessing she was to all of us. We pray for comfort from God and that you find joy in the memories of her smile, kind heart and gentle spirit.

Condolence: I am so sorry to hear about the passing away of Mama Marrie as she was commonly known in the Sierra Leone community in Vancouver. Mama Marie was a wonderful person and will be sadly missed by all who knew her.Aminata and I were heartbroken to hear the loss and we want the family to know that our thoughts are with you.She was a unifying person, especially in the Sierra Leone Community.I remember when I and family had just had our new home after just migrating to Canada from a war- torn country in Africa.Mama Marie went to my home to encourage me to stand up to the test of times. These kind words I will never forget in a hurry. She was always cheerful and helpful. There is a great void to be filled by her passing. Marie Lomas, today you are physically not with us. Now to you death; you have the power to end life. You have the power to discourage and defeat us and the power to separate families. But we know the truth: Jesus lives! Because He lives we know Mama Marie you are now living with Him. We believe that His victory over death is your victory. So like Jesus, we mock you death and your power to destroy us. Jesus has destroyed you death and brought immortality to life in mankind through the Gospel.Marie Antonia Clare Lomas, REST IN PEACE IN THE PRESENCE OF JESUS.
MAMOUD & AMINATA, Calgary, Alberta

Condolence: Marie...Marie...Marie… may your soul Rest In Peace
Cousin, you were such a wonderful person to me and my children. You touch our lives in such a way words can barely express. You were one of my confidant, the news of your illness and death shook me to my core.
Marie...Marie...Marie…
You were such a great listener, easy to talk to and the godmother to my son Ernest. We cherished the family pictures, birthday cards and Christmas cards you sent us over the years.
Marie...Marie...Marie…
I miss talking to you on the phone.
Marie...Marie...Marie…”NA Inez”
Sleep and take your rest.

Our deepest condolences
Inez, Juno, Iyamide and Katie.