Latjor,
Please accept and extend to the rest of the family my heart-felt condolence
on the passing away of your dear mother. I remember her well as Mrs Ndow, my
Head Teacher that year I spent in primary six at Serekunda Primary School.
Teaching was indeed her calling. I can still recall her authoritative voice
whenever she spoke.
May Her Soul Rest in Eternal Peace!
Kabir.
On 5/2/07, africa fest <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
> 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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