My sincere condolences to Latjor and the entire family May her soul rest in perfect peace.I pray that god will shower her with blessing and heavenly reward.
On behalf of the entire Drammeh family
M.Oko Drammeh
Dingare- Banjul
Solomon Sylva <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
Lat,
Our hearts and prayers are with you all. Hang in there. She sure was a
gentle giant! She was simply super and the best! Our love for Aunty Linda
last forever. God, the Almighty, has another mission for her in Heaven.
May she be welcomed with open arms and the with mighty angels wings - AMEN
Rest in Peace Aunty Linda.
The Sylva Family USA, Europe, Senegal and Gambia
-----Original Message-----
From: The Gambia and related-issues mailing list
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of africa fest
Sent: Wednesday, May 02, 2007 3:39 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Condolence / clarification
G-Lers,
On behalf of my family, I wish to express our gratitude for your concern and
prayers for the passing of our dear mum.
Below is a short write-up I prepared (under much duress) to insert in the
Funeral Program. Hope it sheds more light on this gentle giant. She was 71
years old and not 72 as some are reporting.
Latjor
BELINDA GEORGETTE MARY-MAGDALENE BIDWELL (nee FAAL)
“To thine own self be true, And it must follow, as the night the day, Thou
canst not then be false to any man.”
It would be a futile exercise to make any attempt to write a short biography
to fit the spatial requirements of a compact Funeral Mass Programme, on the
earthly life of Belinda G. Bidwell. Thus, this will be an attempt to lay
bare the varied pieces of fabric that may bring to light the noble and just
life of this giant of a lady we come to pay tribute to.
Belinda Georgette was born on April 22, 1936 in Banjul, The Gambia. The
second child of Gabriel Julian Faal and Matilda Faal (nee Johnson) of 28
Lancaster Street, Banjul. At an early age, it became evident that here was
a true gift from heaven.
Having lost three of her siblings at a tender age, she took up the
responsibility of helping her mother and father raise her other siblings.
It was during those formative years that her maternal instincts became
highly developed. It was to become her hallmark for the rest of her life.
It could be said that in the course of her life, she has raised, not a
village, but an entire city! A mother, who never turned her back to anyone
who came to her seeking assistance or love. Among these, she was known
simply as: “Mummy”, or “Aunty Linda”. Her embrace of them was complete and
unreserved. “They are all God’s children”, she would often remark.
Belinda attended St. Joseph’s Preparatory School where her intellectual
potential quickly became evident. She excelled in all her studies while she
was at St. Joseph’s High School. Upon completion, she enrolled at the then
newly established Yundum Teacher Training College.
In 1962, she obtained a scholarship to Oxford University, UK and graduated
with a Bachelor of Arts degree, in the process becoming one of the first
Gambian women to study at this prestigious institution. Upon her return
home, she taught at St. Joseph’s Secondary School and later as a Lecturer at
Yundum Teacher Training College.
In the 1970s, Belinda’s passion in the pursuit of education remained
unabated. She went for further studies to Reading University, UK,
University of Chicago, USA and undertook many more short training courses in
faraway lands such as the former USSR, Germany and Australia. Academic
disciplines she studied ranged from Geography, Environmental Studies,
Linguistics, Mathematics, and English Literature.
Her love for sharing her knowledge when and where it was needed, brought her
out of retirement. She volunteered to teach, free of charge, Mathematics
and Geography at St. Augustine’s Secondary Technical School.
While Belinda was blazing a trail as a role model for Gambians in the
academic world, she was also busy raising her family. This difficult act of
balancing the quest for family stability while pursuing her academic and
career interests was a marvel to watch.
She was married to the late James J. Ndow with whom she had all her five
children. The untimely death of her husband in 1976, left her to raise
alone her very young family, the oldest of whom was only eleven years at
the time, as well as all the other relatives she had adopted. She raised
them all in a loving and fiercely protective environment. She gave her all
ensuring that they had a good education, teaching them the importance of
family, the joy of sharing, caring, giving, especially to those in need, and
above all to always have a close relationship with the Creator.
Belinda had also acquired important life skills at a tender age at the feet
of her mother. These would come in handy during those many years she had to
struggle to raise the family. Her sewing skills helped generate extra
income for the family. Ever the industrious woman, she imparted the joy of
purposeful labor on her children. Teaching them skills in the art of Haute
Couture. Over the years, she has designed many a bride’s wedding dress and
clothes for all occasions.
In 1990, after all her children had left for the United States and France
having reached adulthood, she finally decided to remarry and enjoy the rest
of her life with a companion. She married Dr. Ernest Bidwell and remained
with him until his passing away in November 2006.
In 2001, Belinda’s career took another direction. Responding to the call to
serve her beloved country, she accepted the position of Deputy Speaker of
the National Assembly of the Republic of The Gambia. During her five-year
tenure, she became the Speaker of the House, thus becoming the first Gambian
woman to ascend to this position. Some of her major accomplishments include
the construction of the Assembly annex, ensuring professionalism and staff
development, and of course, mentoring both deputies and staff. Here, her
motherly qualities again came to the fore, caring for and embracing all no
matter their political leanings. She emphasized that one must always have
the interest of the nation first in making any decision that would impact
the lives of people. No wonder she became known within the corridors of the
National Assembly as “Ma”.
Belinda was a devout practicing Christian. Whether working, relaxing with
friends or family, she was always immersed in prayer. She loved to sing
sacred hymns and was blessed with a beautiful angelic voice. No matter the
day, time or place, there was always a song of praise to her Maker emanating
from her. Her devotion to her faith was complete and unquestioned.
Belinda was ever the optimist. No matter how great a problem, she would
place her faith in God, confident that He will guide her find an answer. As
she would often say, “God will provide. Just have faith.”
While many thinkers and philosophers through the ages have contemplated on
the true nature of Love - this sustainer of life, in truth, it is only fully
understood when it is made visible. Belinda, in her brief journey through
this world has shown us how beautiful true Love can be, when it is embrace
and lived fully and completely.
Belinda is survived by her mother, sisters, children, grandchildren, adopted
children, aunts, cousins, relatives and all whom she has touched in her
special way.
May her gentle soul ever remain in eternal peace!
_________________________________________________________________
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