Mary Calvert (20 Sep 1923 - 7 Mar 2020)

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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

Lindsay Roderick posted a picture
Mrs Calvert's school in Madras (1959?).

Mrs Calvert's school in Madras (1959?).

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Lindsay Roderick wrote

After 60 years I still remember Mrs Calvert as being the most loved and very best teacher. Such happy days in Madras. Lindsay (Macintosh)

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Mark Harvey wrote

“Mrs Calvert” was my Teacher in Madras 1960-61. My memories are of kindness and a sense of security while there - not quite what I experienced on arrival at Boarding School in September 1961!
I even remember that my drinking Mug was “orange upside-down”!
What a wonderful life she lived.....

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Sara Beels donated in memory of Mary
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Gillian Pinney donated in memory of Mary

She was a lovely neighbour to us in Eccleshall and very welcoming on arrival across the road, bringing sandwiches and sausage rolls for our lunch. We will always remember her fondly.
Gill and John Pinney, 14 Redhills

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  • Thank you for your kind comments and donation. She did enjoy her time living in Eccleshall.

    Posted by Maggie on 23/04/2020 Report abuse
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Maggie Pascoe lit a candle
Su Bowler posted a picture
Granny and Grandpapa. Date unknown.

Granny and Grandpapa. Date unknown.

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Charlie Gould posted a picture
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  • Just right - my mother always loved spring flowers and especially Pussy Willow - so apt for these to accompany her.Thank you Elliot for creating such a lovely posy!

    Posted by Maggie on 25/03/2020 Report abuse
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Charlie Gould posted a picture
Special flowers for a special lady on Lady Day

Special flowers for a special lady on Lady Day

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  • Such a lovely posy - it certainly sits well with my mother's love of garden flowers and the natural beauty of nature.She just loved little posies and often had odd sprigs of Pussy willow dotted around the house !

    Posted by Maggie on 25/03/2020 Report abuse
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Su Bowler posted a picture
Granny and me talking about the New Wine festival my family were attending. August 2019 at Onehouse.

Granny and me talking about the New Wine festival my family were attending. August 2019 at Onehouse.

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Su Bowler posted a picture
Granny and my husband, Neill, deep in theological discussion. They had some great conversations over the years. Onehouse February 2020.

Granny and my husband, Neill, deep in theological discussion. They had some great conversations over the years. Onehouse February 2020.

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Su Bowler posted a picture
Granny and mum Maggie. Onehouse February 2020.

Granny and mum Maggie. Onehouse February 2020.

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Su Bowler posted a picture
Granny in our four generations of women photo. Granny, Mum, my sister Charlie and I, and my two daughters. Onehouse 2020.

Granny in our four generations of women photo. Granny, Mum, my sister Charlie and I, and my two daughters. Onehouse 2020.

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Su Bowler posted a picture
Granny, mum (Maggie) and me. Onehouse February 2020.

Granny, mum (Maggie) and me. Onehouse February 2020.

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Su Bowler posted a picture
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.

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.

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George Baisley donated £110 in memory of Mary

In memory of dear Mary giving great thanks for her long residence at Bromley College and for all that she contributed to our life here.
With love and prayers from all the Collegians of Bromley and Sheppard's Colleges.

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  • Thank you so much for your kind generous donation, MSF was one of my mother's favourite charities & it seems so apt given the worldwide situation at present.She certainly loved being part of such a warm

    Posted by Maggie on 24/03/2020 Report abuse
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George Baisley wrote

In memory of dear Mary giving great thanks for her long residence at Bromley College and for all that she contributed to our life here. With love and prayers from all the Collegians of Bromley and Sheppard's Colleges.

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Valerie Pearce posted a picture
Mary with some of the Collegians, September 2016 - the time of our 350th celebrations.

Mary with some of the Collegians, September 2016 - the time of our 350th celebrations.

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Maggie Pascoe posted a picture
Relaxing with Midnight the cat and avoiding the dreaded basket of socks !!!

Relaxing with Midnight the cat and avoiding the dreaded basket of socks !!!

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Maggie Pascoe posted a picture

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 !!

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Maggie Pascoe posted a picture
Usual breakfast pose - doing her

Usual breakfast pose - doing her " devoir" with LaVendée - the local journal of the Vendée.

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Maggie Pascoe posted a picture
Always inquisitive !

Always inquisitive !

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Maggie Pascoe posted a picture
On the terrace

On the terrace " chez nous" in Apremont

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Maggie Pascoe posted a picture
Taken on College Green, on the way back from the dentist - no wonder she's smiling !

Taken on College Green, on the way back from the dentist - no wonder she's smiling !

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Charlie Gould posted a picture
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Annie Hilder donated £15 in memory of Mary

In memory of dear Mary. With our love.

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Annie Hilder lit a candle
Annie Hilder wrote

Dear Maggie and Charlie, and all the family - you have been much in thought since Mum (Pam) told us of dear Mary's passing. She was a remarkable person and our visits to see Mum at Bromley College often included bumping into Mary and catching up on news of you all and in particular her great grandchildren, who with our three children were all of a similar age. She was warm, kind, very amusing, and you always felt she was wholly giving of herself, even if only during a short chat. Mary and Mum had a wonderful, close friendship, much grounded in their shared faith and I have no doubt that it has not ended. I am so glad to have known Mary, and send my love to you all in what is indeed such a challenging time. Annie xx

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  • Hello Annie, Thank you so much for your kind words, Pam was very dear to my mother and their friendship was special and meant such a lot. Pam always left a little posy and a basket of fruit for my mother when she returned from being away & if I, when I was staying, popped down to the

    Posted by Maggie on 23/03/2020 Report abuse
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Maggie Pascoe posted a picture
Mamma the

Mamma the " master chocolatier " making chocolate sweets, when staying with us in France, one Christmas !

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Maggie Pascoe donated £44.58 in memory of Mary

In loving memory of an amazing Mamma !

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