Remembering Amy Neehall

Last week an e-mail from brother Moses in Saskatoon advised of the death of Amy Neehall. I am writing this bit on Monday March 1. An e-mail message from Moses this morning advised me that today Amy is being buried.
I remember when the Neehalls came to our church in Penal. Indeed, I was there at the meeting when the vote was taken to issue a call. The Penal Presbyterian Church was well known for its politics. (During the past forty years I have learned that they are by no means unique!) Lots of discussion and debate at that meeting. One man was adamantly against it declaring that we did not need a “coolie Canadian”. When the vote was taken there was one dissenting vote.
It would not be an exaggeration to say that the coming of the Neehalls to Penal was the beginning of a social revolution. Roy was an immediate hit. Indeed, the one dissenting voter became one of his most ardent supporters. Roy’s rich, resonant voice, his wonderful oratorical gifts, his winning way with people, his fresh ideas and great energy brought many changes. The church grew and flourished.
While Roy went about doing important things, Amy stayed at home doing more important things. She had come to our rural community as a “white wife” of a native person trained abroad. But Amy’s quiet dignity and genuine warmth soon removed any color distinction any one might have feared. She raised her beautiful family, she practiced the ministry of hospitality, she formed deep and vital relationships. This person who was raised and formed in a different culture made her home among us. She touched the lives of everyone with whom she came into contact.
In today’s world few of us remain in our place of origin. I lost track of the Neehalls for a while. A few years ago (quite a few), when we visited Western Canada we made a trip to Edmonton, Alberta. Roy and Amy not only invited us to their home for a meal, they invited other people from the islands whom we knew. It was a beautiful reunion. I had the distinct feeling that this sort of thing happened quite often in their home. Practicing hospitality was Amy’s gift to so many of us. She did it with quiet distinction and genuine warmth. She imprinted the Syne Village Kanhai’s very deeply. Her life was a blessing. Her memory is a benediction.

And from Rosalind:
I thoroughly enjoyed reading the first edition of the Syne Village Times. What an excellent way of chronicling events in one's life! I remember AJ (Rampersad) referring to Rev. Ramlogan on different occasions but alas, I was way too young to have known the individual.
I have, however, always been totally impressed with Rev. Neehall. My sister, Pamela, told me a very interesting story 2 years ago when she visited Canada last about that honorable gentleman's contribution to my life in particular. Some of my family history for you is that I used to have numerous asthma attacks and because we were so poor, my parents had to sit all night in hospitals/ clinics etc. He offered and insisted that he pay my medical bills and had them take me to his family doctor. What was even more shocking for me to find out was that he had even asked to adopt me, but of course my parents won't give me up! (Thanks for sharing the memory, Rose).