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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