Remembering Margaret Joy Parkinson

This photo that Anna and I have in our collection, with Margaret Joy Parkinson along with Dr  Frank Garlick and Dr Val Garlick, is a photo which brings many memories. Dr Garlick moved on to his eternal journey few months back. 

We heard from Ms Sarah David yesterday that Margaret also had moved on recently. Sarah who is now in Australia was looking forward to meet Margaret. It was Margaret's friend who responded by announcing the news of the home call of Margaret. We would not have known it but for Sarah thinking of informing us. Sarah knew Margaret when she was studying at the AIMS New Delhi. Margaret visited her parents at Nasik periodically, till she left India in the early nineties. 

Anna and I remember her from the time we were associated with the BMMF (now Interserve) from 1984. Margaret had her base in Nasik and Kohlapur, Maharashtra. Having been trained as a nurse and subsequently in Maternal and Child health, Margaret left Brisbane to come to India to spend the next twenty five years or so in India. It was duirng the annual conference of BMMF we got to know her. Her interest in child development made us connect with each other in the initial years. Margaret had established an organisation of children's hostels in Maharashtra and was actively involved to upgrade the facilities in the hostels to transform them to give children a formative experience in their lives.  

From this involvement she moved to offer leadership to BMMF in India, when a national office of BMMF was being established. It was around tis time  Anna and I got an opportunity to have more contacts with Margaret. 

We remember Margaret for being an encouragement to us as we were into the initial years of setting up ASHIRVAD trust and its first initiative of a Chid Development Centre in Chennai in 1983. She visited us and stayed with us to make us feel supported when we felt sometimes isolated and less understood at a time, when  developmental monitoring of children with Neuro-developmental needs was in its pioneering phase.

Her leadership to the newly formed INTERSERVE-India was special. As the overseas partners of the former BMMF international were on the decline in India due to visa restrictions, Margaret explored how the fellowship can have greater strength with partners from India. She paved the way for the transition to make it as a fellowship of carers, who complemented the life of organisations where partners were working. 

Margaret encouraged greater involvement with the Christian Medical Colleges in Vellore and Ludhiana. I remember how that opened the door for me to be involved in the governing board of both these organisations for a while. 

Margaret was a support to those who were facing special circumstances in life. She felt the need and pain that people go through and reached out to accompany them during their valley experiences. 

I remember occasions, when we were both involved in the international co-ordination committee of INTERSERVE, she  highlighted the needs of single women who were partners of the fellowship. She wanted a special focus to care for those who retired and were back in their home countries. That was how a new approach evolved in having a group of of 'home partners' in the sending countries. 

After returning to Brisbane, she was involved in different ways in the leadership of INTERSERVE and was responsible for its office in Queensland. Anna and I remember how she cared for others and their needs. In fact, she opened her home to international students in Brisbane and ministered to them. 

Margaret lived her life to fulfil her calling to 'be all things to all people'. She having known the special situations that single elderly people go through, was a companion to others of her age. She was unwell for about six months and was well cared for her. Her sister and family was her main support during this time. 

Anna and I remember her as a friend who cared and befriended our children. We felt touched by her caring ways towards us. She helped us to stay on course in our calling and facilitated our move on the invitation of CMC Vellore to start the Developmental Paediatrics Unit there. That was the beginning of the specialty of Developmental Paediatrics in India in a Medical college, which subsequently started the specialty training in this discipline. 

Margaret envisioned new initiatives. Another initiative was the idea of self supporting partners in INTERSERVE. 

We remember and give thanks to God for her life. She lived to serve and care!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)