It is with great sadness that we report the recent passing of our beloved Jean Humphries. It has been our honour and privilege to have been able to help Jean in her later years.
We were also delighted to have sponsored her cataract surgeries which changed her life enormously.
Jean was a real character and a lovely Rhodesian, her lovely story is below. Bless you Jean for bringing your love to us all ! RIP
Dear Chris,
Herewith my story- a long story from a “through and through” ex Rhodesian.
I was born on the 14th February 1941 (Valentine’s Day) at Sister Roux’s Nursing, Home, Bulawayo to “Mac” and Kathleen McLeod. Kathleen being the youngest of six children born to Colonel William Napier (an 1893 Pioneer) and his beautiful wife, Vi. “Mac” was the eldest child of Belinda and James McLeod of Alice, Eastern Cape province.
I was brought up on a Ranch owned by HARRY & BRIDGET OPPENHEIMER in the Shangani area. My father was a Ranch Manager for 7 of their farms and I used to play with MARY & NICKY OPPENHEIMER when they were in residence. As we lived a long way from any schools, my mother first taught me by CORRESPONDENCE course and then I went to boarding school in Bulawayo.
I went to Hillside school firstly – it was a Co-ed school and then to TOWNSEND GIRLS SENIOR SCHOOL. I enjoyed my schooling years and was actively involved in a lot of sport, Young Farmer’s Club, other committees and was also a Prefect.
After school, I was very blessed to be asked to work at the BRITISH SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE Drill Hall, Bulawayo as a Secretary. In the meantime, I had met my future husband Bob Humphreys who was stationed at Beit Bridge and came to visit me every second weekend. Bob was born and bred at Henley-on-Thames, England, 1930 but came out to Rhodesia in the 1950’s! He had the choice of immigrating to Canada or Rhodesia – he chose Rhodesia. Bob worked as an Animal Health Inspector.
We got married in March 1961 in Bulawayo After a period in Salisbury, we were transferred to BEATRICE where we lived in a small cottage on a farm. We ran a flock of Rhode Island Red fowls for fresh eggs and we kept a veggie and flower garden.
At the weekends we went to the Salisbury South Sports Club to play a couple of games of tennis. I kept actively involved in teaching swimming at the Beatrice Junior School and doing the teas for the monthly Cattle Sales. We were there for about 2½ years before Bob was offered a job on a large cattle Ranch – 60,000 acres with 6000 head of cattle in the Turk Mine area under the Honourable George Rudland. We were blessed with a son GRANT, who was born in Gwelo in 1964 and a daughter SHELLEY, who was born in Bulawayo in 1967. These kids have given us so much pride and joy.
Bob worked there for 5 years before he was left a small inheritance by his late mother and we decided to buy a small dairy farm in the area. We moved to RIVERSIDE farm in 1968. Our years on the farm were very happy, albeit a bit “hairy” at times. Bob increased the herd and put in a milking parlour.
The “Bush War” was on at the time and Bob, who was part of a Police Reserve Stick, was in and out of duty. Needless to say, I was left to run the farm. After 13 years we decided we should sell and move to South Africa as our daughter needed to finish her senior schooling and our son was doing a Diesel Mechanic Apprenticeship at Meadow Feeds, Pietermaritzburg.
Bob, after trying a few jobs was offered a salesman’s job with a Security Firm (mainly selling Burglar Alarms) which he stuck to until his retirement at the end of 2010. He had his name down at the S A Legions and was able to enjoy his retirement there until he became ill with a brain disorder and passed away in 2017. We had been married for 56 years.
Unfortunately Zimbabweans were not allowed bring out much in the form of finances, so things were pretty “tough” some months – until I was introduced to Bill and Lynn Jackson at Church and they arranged that I speak to Chris Bradshaw about help from the Mdala Trust.
I can honestly say that Mdala Trust have been absolutely wonderful – firstly they accepted me as one of their members and then they agreed to pay for my Cataract Surgery which has improved my eyesight 100%. I now no longer have to wear glasses to drive or see!!
Thank you so much Mdala Trust – you have given a retired “little old lady” so much joy and happiness and I would definitely recommend you to any other ex Rhodies.
Thank you Chris and Mdala Trust,
Yours sincerely,
Jean