Daisy Weaver (6 Mar 1938 - 17 Feb 2022)

In loving memory of Daisy Weaver who sadly passed away on 17th February 2022.

Daisy Fernella Weaver was born in the Caribbean island of Antigua on 6th March 1938. A talented young girl, Daisy was respected in her local community; and was, from her early years, earmarked as someone ‘special’ who would do well in whatever she turned her mind to.

She came from a musical family. Her siblings played musical instruments ranging from the organ, piano and guitar. Her father, James Drew, was a talented vocalist of national and Caribbean regional repute and was one of the pioneer instrument makers of the Steel Bands orchestra which characterised the special and unique musical sounds of the Caribbean. Daisy’s father played the ‘Wood Cutting Saw‘ which created music of a type of sound and texture that only Caribbean people could create.

Daisy’s home, during childhood, was a sanctuary of music and song. Her favourite musical instruments were the organ and piano. She loved the guitar too. The Methodist church was the family church where her grandfather preached to crowds of worshippers in chapels of sheer gospel bliss. When Daisy, as a child, played the piano and organ accompanied by youthful voices of siblings and friends, they were often applauded with shouts of “Encore! Encore! Let’s hear that one again”.

Daisy’s popularity grew so fast that she was increasingly being poached by other churches and denominations with invitations for her to become their Church organist. She helped many churches including The Seventh Day Adventists, Baptists and Pentecostals with their musical needs. She held formal appointments as church organist in both the Methodist and Anglican Churches in Antigua. She practised as Chief Organist in the Anglican Church which became her personal and family church. Daisy was also the lead organist for the American and Allied Military Service personnel who remained stationed in Antigua after the war.

On leaving Antigua at the age of twenty-one with her mother, Adelaide, she settled in the city of Leicester, UK. Although she had the credentials and necessary experience from being the organist in the Anglican Church in the Caribbean, she was told by her Anglican vicar in Leicester that she would not be invited to play any active part in the church music in his church. This was clearly because of her skin colour. However, that kind of rejection did not stifle or end her commitment to her musical ministry or for services to the community and the church. In fact, it accelerated her realisation of her deeper spiritual purpose and calling.

Daisy attended the Leicester branch of the Pilgrim Holiness Church where she intensified her relationship with God. She met her now husband, Christian Weaver, at this church and they later married on 21st April 1962. They subsequently moved to Nottingham where they established the Nottingham Pilgrim Church alongside a small number of other people in the early 1960s. She held the position of organist for this newly established church.

In the early 1970s, the family moved to the West Midlands where they set up a church in Bilston, on the borders of Wolverhampton. This was integral to Daisy’s and her husband’s ambition to plant churches as part of God’s command to spread the gospel.

Daisy’s nursing career was reignited when she worked for Dudley Hospital. It was at this point that she established a reputation as a formidable practitioner known for her knowledge as a clinician, alongside her natural caring personality. She was an asset to the NHS then – indeed, she embodied the credentials that the NHS are calling out for now!

Upon returning to the Nottingham Church in 1976, Daisy’s ministry and calling became evident. Her often ‘behind the scenes’ leadership was not only marked by her musical calling which brought many to change their lives for the better and to give their life to God, but her passion for human rights and social justice became evident. A highly intelligent woman, she would often sum up very quickly what was required to move the dial forward in a practical way. And her direct, yet compassionate, ‘bear no grudges’ nature made her a confidante, friend, listener and advisor to so many people not only in UK but in other parts of the world.

Daisy is well known for her selfless character; her integrity, alongside a strong disciplined approach to life, underpinned with a unique gentleness. Her care for the sick at her home was testament to her putting her faith into action. Indeed, it is difficult to accurately capture the extensive number of people of all ages and ethnicities that she extended her nursing skills to in the family home. Scores of people view Daisy as a ‘friend’. Indeed, she had a notable and special relationship with young people, many of whom call her confidante, soulmate, ‘mom’ and friend.

Daisy played a critical leadership role alongside her husband, the Rev Canon Christian Weaver. She also leaves behind four children – David, Julia, Mark and Stephen; and three grandchildren, Christian, Emmerson and Liberty.

The history books will recall her massive contribution not only to the spiritual development of people within her reach, but also to the welfare of ordinary people and her general pursuit of freedom, justice and equality for all.

Farewell Sister Daisy Weaver. We love you. We will miss you, but we know you are resting in beautiful peace.