![Mrs Calvert's school in Madras (1959?).](https://d24pb0tc2lc7uj.cloudfront.net/R58vSzP20OL3CfhcR0louiMcYBA=/fit-in/800x600/public/assets/uploads/a0ef2444-bd51-4dbb-97f9-8923cd9a4582.jpg)
Mrs Calvert's school in Madras (1959?).
We are sad to announce the death of Mary Calvert, wife of Prebendary Ian Calvert. A former Church Commissioner, member of the General Synod, on the board of the British Council of Churches, a governor of St John’s College Durham and an oblate at All Hallows’ Ditchingham.
During her career she was a head teacher, started a School for English students in Chennai (formerly Madras) a lecturer at Dudley College of Further Education, a theologian, an author and had studied ancient Greek.
Latterly she had lived at Bromley and Shepperd’s College in Bromley, where she was a valued member of the community. Treasurer right from the start of The Friends (retired from that role in 2011), an archivist, she was also a contributor of facts and points of history to many. As an archivist, she instigated the formalisation and documentation of the wealth of information and history about Bromley College which she then handed over to Kathleen Craig.
Known as Mary, Mamma and " Granny" to many, I, her daughter Maggie, have lost an indomitable and amazing Mamma.
It was hard to keep up with all her exploits, she was a very diverse lady. She was an author, photographer, traveller as well as being very involved with parish life supporting her husband Ian, my father.
As an author she wrote “Enterprising Americans” – (Outstanding Christian Women of the Nineteenth Century) and “God to enfold me” amongst others and retold many classics in simpler form for students learning English- like Wuthering Heights and Robinson Crusoe, to name but two, in Macmillan S.T.R. series.
As a photographer, she has an amazing record of her various travels plus a lovely family record of the grandchildren growing up on disc.
As a traveller, she lived in India (where I spent some of my childhood), the continent, Australia, where she went to visit her sister, Lorna, many times. She attended, as a church representative, the World Council of Churches in Canberra and in Zimbabwe.
As well as skiing in Switzerland (well into her 80s), she visited New Zealand, South America, Easter Island, Cook Island and the Falkland’s, many trips to France to stay with me and my family, and one family highlight was celebrating her 90th birthday in Canada, 11 of us! A memory so precious.
She was immensely proud of her 3 grandchildren, Su, Charlie & Alex - & she was enjoying observing the growing and development of her 6 great grandchildren – Miriam, Oscar, Harvey, Kitty, Elliot and Jack
In fact, throughout her life and work she enriched many lives, she will be greatly missed.
On a practical note, as we are living through strange and difficult times, we, as a family, have decided to have prayers and a committal at the Chapel of Rest, conducted by the Rev Jenny Ablett( from St Mary and St Peter's Church Barham Suffolk ) and a private cremation. When this crisis is over, we will be having a service of celebration and thanksgiving at St Mary and St Peter's Church Barham Suffolk, if you would like to have details please leave your name and either your telephone number and/or your e-mail address, so that we can contact you with information. Thank you for being in touch.
For funeral details please contact Andrew Bingham Independent Funeral Service on 01449-771666
St Mary and St Peter's Church Barham - Suffolk Rev Jenny Ablett
Granny and me talking about the New Wine festival my family were attending. August 2019 at Onehouse.
Granny and my husband, Neill, deep in theological discussion. They had some great conversations over the years. Onehouse February 2020.
Granny in our four generations of women photo. Granny, Mum, my sister Charlie and I, and my two daughters. Onehouse 2020.
Granny, curled up like a teenager, reading. She had no idea I took this, as I was using the zoom on my phone. I love this photo. Taken at Onehouse, February 2020.
On the 6th January in France, there is the celebration of the Galettes des Rois - with a " fève" hidden inside- the person who finds it wears the crown - Mamma found it !!
Mamma the " master chocolatier " making chocolate sweets, when staying with us in France, one Christmas !
Mrs Calvert's school in Madras (1959?).
Granny and Grandpapa. Date unknown.
Special flowers for a special lady on Lady Day
Granny and me talking about the New Wine festival my family were attending. August 2019 at Onehouse.
Granny and my husband, Neill, deep in theological discussion. They had some great conversations over the years. Onehouse February 2020.
Granny and mum Maggie. Onehouse February 2020.
Granny in our four generations of women photo. Granny, Mum, my sister Charlie and I, and my two daughters. Onehouse 2020.
Granny, mum (Maggie) and me. Onehouse February 2020.
Granny, curled up like a teenager, reading. She had no idea I took this, as I was using the zoom on my phone. I love this photo. Taken at Onehouse, February 2020.
Mary with some of the Collegians, September 2016 - the time of our 350th celebrations.
Relaxing with Midnight the cat and avoiding the dreaded basket of socks !!!
On the 6th January in France, there is the celebration of the Galettes des Rois - with a " fève" hidden inside- the person who finds it wears the crown - Mamma found it !!
Usual breakfast pose - doing her " devoir" with LaVendée - the local journal of the Vendée.
Always inquisitive !
On the terrace " chez nous" in Apremont
Taken on College Green, on the way back from the dentist - no wonder she's smiling !
Mamma the " master chocolatier " making chocolate sweets, when staying with us in France, one Christmas !
Granny at Niagra Falls 2013
Granny ready for the Maid of the Mist in Canada, Niagra Falls.
Granny with the young great grandchildren.
Granny at a AAC Wattisham family day.
Windswept granny at a family wedding in Apremont, France.
Granny relaxing at Onehouse
Granny with daughter Maggie
Granny with Charlie on her birthday 2019, daughter Maggie holding the cake.
Christmas with the great grandchildren playing a concert
Granny licking the spoon at Christmas with Hilary
Granny with great grandchild Elliot
Granny, Charlie and Harvey
Granny admiring the Christmas tree. Christmas is a very special time for granny and she always spent it with the family.
Canada 2013
Granny with young great grandchildren Mim and Oscar
Granny enjoying the garden
Granny with grandchildren Charlie and Alex in France
Granny and a young Harvey
Granny with the family
Mary and Adam enjoying mulled wine, Christmas 2017
Mary hosting a meal with her grandchildren
Mary with Calico
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