The funeral of Mary Merriweather: A Botswana experience the Moderator, George H. McRobb
Tribute: Mary Catherine Merriweather Mary Catherine Merriweather, was born in 1931 at Manor Farm, Yedingham, in Yorkshire, England where she lived until she came to Botswana. She attended the primary school at Yedingham and later became a weekly border at St. Andrew’s school at Malton. She then moved to London where she attended teacher training college and afterwards she returned to Yorkshire where she began her teaching career in primary schools in her home area.
I received the sad news of Mary Merriweather’s death on Friday 5th. August 2011 and I had no hesitation to say I’d go on behalf of the UFCOS. By the end of that day flights had been arranged.
As the coffin left the Church after three hours a guard of honour was formed by the children from the Shepherd English Medium School, Mary’s school. Many in tears at the loss of their beloved “mother”.
I flew out on Wednesday 10th. August 2011 and was met at Gaberone airport the next day by Joy Crosbie, (my Botswana Angel). I stayed with the Crosbie family apart from one night when I stayed in Mary’s home. Then came a very different experience. I had to witness the slaughter of two cows from which they wanted me to have the tails… no thanks!
The coffin was then brought to Mary’s home where it rested over night surrounded by many women who prayed and sang until the funeral service began ay 6am.
Willie (Joy’s husband) took me and the family to the Molepolole Church for a service of Thanksgiving for Mary’s life. The Church was full and I was privileged to preach the Word and noting from the Order of Service I’d been promoted to REV. 7
After various tributes I led in prayer (they certainly know how to pray at length) we moved to the graveyard. The grave had been dug by the men of the Church the previous day and after many ministers spoke and I prayed the coffin was lowered and we all had to wait until the grave had been filled in by the men who had dug it. Then back to Mary’s House for food (the two cows) the men went to the Kgotla to eat separately from the women.
The tribal culture is still very much alive in Botswana and I had interesting conversations with the Local Chief and also the Paramount Chief. Please be much in prayer for Mpho who has been working with Mary since being adopted by her many years ago and also for her sister Ellah (also adopted) both of whom changed their name to Merrieweather. I thank God for the experience of a life time and for friendships made which will never be forgotten. Joy’s summation of Mary on behalf of all in Molepolole “Mary, our mother, sister, gran, teacher, mentor, confidant, helper and friend was our strength and our guide and will be sorely missed especially by Joy, Ellah, Mpho and the family. Thank you for this opportunity to serve the UFCOS in this very special way and I trust that what was done was glorifying to the Lord.
Mary took a break in her teaching and returned to London to the Bible College where she studied for a year. She had felt a calling to become a missionary, but this was not to be at that time.
In 1986 Mary and Alfred returned to Molepolole when Alfred “retired” and began his private practice. Mary, who has always loved children and teaching, began to teach 5 children in the old mission house, first occupied by Dr David Shepherd in the 1930’s. Since then, her small school, the Shepherd English Medium School has grown and developed under her dedicated guidance into a well-known and highly respected Christian school, with over 500 pupils, many of whom commute daily from Gaborone. Latterly, Mary became increasingly frail but she bore her infirmity and chronic ill health with courage and without complaint. Her lifelong faith and love for the Lord continued to radiate with such joy that she inspired and encouraged all she met and her lovely smile lives on in our memories forever. She has now been released from the pain and discomfort of her last weeks and has been taken to her eternal home by God to be with Him. Mary, our mother, sister, gran, teacher, mentor, confidant, helper and friend, was our strength and our guide and will be sorely missed especially by Joy, Ellah, Mpho and the family.
Mary and Dr Alfred Merriweather were married in Scarborough, Yorkshire on the 30th October 1976 and they returned together to Molepolole in early 1977. This became her home where she and Alfred always welcomed visitors from all walks of life with generosity and wonderful hospitality. Mary encouraged and supported Alfred in his work, and soon became involved in the church in Molepolole. She was very active in Christian teachings amongst women and children. From 1981 to 1986, when Alfred was the superintendent of Princess Marina Hospital, and they lived in Gaborone, Mary taught at Northside Primary School.
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