Dearest Phil, Andy, Chris and families,
I am finding it hard to find the words that express the range of feelings of loss and deep sadness that I feel for you all and those of us who loved Tony and Eve so much. To lose Tony so soon is unfair and my heart goes out to you all.
I cannot talk about Tony without talking about the two of them.. Like others I have had the privilege of becoming close to your parents and grandparents especially over the last ten years since they came to live in the beautiful paradise of Matumi. They knew and loved Marius well since the early days of the struggle both politically and socially raising young families. Jane, Marius’ first daughter and you Phil, would be about the same age and were babies at the time.
I first met Tony by chance in 1986 at Dar es Salaam airport with Marius and after great slaps on the back as they hadn’t seen one another for about 20 years, we then traveled together on an Aeroflot flight to Mogadishu (or Mog as they used to call it) sharing a bottle of whiskey and stories en route. Then it was in 1992 shortly after Marius came home, when Fritz and I came to live in South Africa, that Eve and I first met in the Malvern house, and we instantly recognized one another as like minded women, conspiratorial as confused Pisceans!
After Marius died on 7th Feb in 1999 (which I did not know is also coincidentally Eve and To’s anniversary as well as Tony’s memorial day), Eve and Tony played a major part in my life as they represented both the connection between his past and my healing, offering me kindness, strength, love, support and strong friendship. I have many rich Matumi memories of joint birthday celebrations, lots of giggles, cooking together, picnics by the river and peaceful times sitting and reading together and these will be lasting. Debate was engaging and ‘hot’ at times – “bloody liberal feminists!” Tony would say if Eve and I tried to discuss the “JZ” rape trial issue.
We all watched as they both courageously struggled with Eve’s cancer in the last years, Tony never leaving Eve’s side, ever watchful of her emotional and physical needs. Also as we well know observing their relationship was both humbling and inspiring as it was vibrant, intellectually stimulating, yet always with a deep commitment and connection to truth, respect, consideration and deep love for one another. And look at what they produced - such wonderful special men having chosen beautiful strong partners and absolutely stunning, proud making children – you are a credit to them both and you don’t need me to tell you how much you were all loved by them either!
I will miss them both very much and they will leave a huge gap in my life, as I have been touched and enriched by two remarkable people. As well as Eve and Tony, Matumi to me also means getting to know Nomsa, Gazani and Bonani, whom I salute in their steadfast humanness, kindness and support and I will miss them also.
Be strong, support one another and have courage in the coming months as I am sure you will,
Much love to you all and see you tomorrow,
Sherry x
I am finding it hard to find the words that express the range of feelings of loss and deep sadness that I feel for you all and those of us who loved Tony and Eve so much. To lose Tony so soon is unfair and my heart goes out to you all.
I cannot talk about Tony without talking about the two of them.. Like others I have had the privilege of becoming close to your parents and grandparents especially over the last ten years since they came to live in the beautiful paradise of Matumi. They knew and loved Marius well since the early days of the struggle both politically and socially raising young families. Jane, Marius’ first daughter and you Phil, would be about the same age and were babies at the time.
I first met Tony by chance in 1986 at Dar es Salaam airport with Marius and after great slaps on the back as they hadn’t seen one another for about 20 years, we then traveled together on an Aeroflot flight to Mogadishu (or Mog as they used to call it) sharing a bottle of whiskey and stories en route. Then it was in 1992 shortly after Marius came home, when Fritz and I came to live in South Africa, that Eve and I first met in the Malvern house, and we instantly recognized one another as like minded women, conspiratorial as confused Pisceans!
After Marius died on 7th Feb in 1999 (which I did not know is also coincidentally Eve and To’s anniversary as well as Tony’s memorial day), Eve and Tony played a major part in my life as they represented both the connection between his past and my healing, offering me kindness, strength, love, support and strong friendship. I have many rich Matumi memories of joint birthday celebrations, lots of giggles, cooking together, picnics by the river and peaceful times sitting and reading together and these will be lasting. Debate was engaging and ‘hot’ at times – “bloody liberal feminists!” Tony would say if Eve and I tried to discuss the “JZ” rape trial issue.
We all watched as they both courageously struggled with Eve’s cancer in the last years, Tony never leaving Eve’s side, ever watchful of her emotional and physical needs. Also as we well know observing their relationship was both humbling and inspiring as it was vibrant, intellectually stimulating, yet always with a deep commitment and connection to truth, respect, consideration and deep love for one another. And look at what they produced - such wonderful special men having chosen beautiful strong partners and absolutely stunning, proud making children – you are a credit to them both and you don’t need me to tell you how much you were all loved by them either!
I will miss them both very much and they will leave a huge gap in my life, as I have been touched and enriched by two remarkable people. As well as Eve and Tony, Matumi to me also means getting to know Nomsa, Gazani and Bonani, whom I salute in their steadfast humanness, kindness and support and I will miss them also.
Be strong, support one another and have courage in the coming months as I am sure you will,
Much love to you all and see you tomorrow,
Sherry x
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