St Andrew's Parish Church was filled last Thursday with the mourning family and friends of Marjorie Campbell-Rowan, who passed away on May 11 in Canada. Although all present were grieved at her passing, the ceremony emphasised a universal gratitude for the privilege of having known her.

She was eulogised as a strong, sometimes stubborn, woman of faith. Remembrances repeatedly mentioned her gracefulness, graciousness and dignity. Particularly poignant was when her daughter, Dorienne, shared how her mother refused to let visitors see her as weak and frail.

'Death was not for her'

"Death was not for her. Death was for other people. She would get up, get dressed and push away this other world which was beckoning to her," her daughter said.

Marjorie Campbell-Rowan was an influence on several lives in Jamaica, having taught at Wolmer's Prep School, Priory Prep School and St Andrew Prep School. Her contribution to her community showed in the turnout at the memorial service. After she moved to Canada in 1976, she made annual trips back to the country to see her friends and family, constantly keeping in touch through letters, phone calls and cards.

Her sister, Gloria Scott, remembered: "She had a wonderful gift of making and keeping friends from all walks of life."

In a written tribute, Karl Gordon, a friend from Canada stated: "This brief tribute is meant to thank her for the very exemplary manner in which she lived her life and, in doing so, made her mark by leaving to family, friends, acquaintances, and strangers even, a legacy of treasured memories and anecdotes, which bespeak her humanity and her concern for others."

Gordon added: "Marjorie's life, to my mind, was quite simply an expression of love and beauty. And it is in that spirit that I would exhort all to remember her."