Fr. Donald Membery (Priest) - RIP
Fr. Donald, aged 88 years and one month, died at 19:30 on Thursday 15th Jan
2009 in St. James' hospital Leeds, after a fall the previous weekend. He will
be greatly missed by his many friends in Leeds, Swyncombe, across the UK and
around the world. Please pray for for Fr. Donald's repose. Fr. Donald had
no surviving relatives, consequently arrangements for his
final farewell are being made by his executors - see below.
Before priesthood, Fr. Donald served in the RAF, was a head teacher, was a lay missionary with his wife Gladys (nee Yates - deceased) in Rhodesia and Lesotho and then worked at the Institute of Marketing. He was Priested in September 1980 and served as a NSM in the Oxford Diocese.
In 1981 after retirement from work he and was appointed Rector of St. Botolph’s, Swyncombe, Oxon., which he served until 1988 when he retired to Leeds, to be assistant priest at All Souls, Leeds. In Leeds he covered interregna for many churches, became an “unofficial Chaplain” to Bishop John Gaisford and was assistant priest at St. Wilfrid’s Harehills Leeds.
Funeral
An evening Requiem Mass was held at St. Wilfrid's Church, Harehills, Leeds on Tuesday 27th Jan 2009. Bishop Martyn Jarratt was in attendance and the principal celebrant and preacher was Bishop John Gaisford - his address is published here. There were about 170 people present plus 30 concelebrating priests.
Masses (that we know of) were held in memory of Fr. Donald elsewhere in the UK and in New Zealand.
Fr. Donald "instructed" that he hoped that his funeral would not be a time for grieving, but a time of celebration and thanksgiving for the joy and hope of Resurrection. Indeed it was - a good time was had by all!
We have a good number of the Order of Service booklets left over from the Requiem Mass; this contains all of the readings and hymns chosen by Fr. Donald. If you you like a copy of this (or several) please send a STAMPED self addressed C5 envelope to Neil Robinson at the address below. Any donation you care to offer will be added to the flower fund.
Fr. Donald was cremated on 28th Jan 2009 in Leeds after a simple service attended by a few close friends.
Interment of Ashes
Fr. Donald's ashes were interred, next to Gladys, on Sunday March 8th at
14:30 in the "new" grave yard at St. Botolph’s, Swyncombe, Oxon. A simple
service was conducted by Rev'd Christopher Evans at which about
22 people were present to pay their last respects to Fr. Donald.
Thank you messages from the executors to...
Bishop Martyn
For his presence at the Requiem, for his great care and concern for Fr. Donald during recent times.
Bishop John
For his care and concern, being principal celebrant at the Requiem and permitting his address to be published here.
Fr. John Hilton
For his kindness, guidance to Kevin and Neil and preparation of the worship, particularly co-ordination between the Bishops and arrangements with the other clergy present.
Fr. Donald's fellow Priests
For being there, in some cases coming from some distance, to say farewell to our friend Fr. Donald.
The good people of St Wildfid's Harehill Leeds
For hosting the celebration of Fr. Donald's life and all their work in serving the drinks and refreshments and doing the washing-up afterwards!
Staff Ward 31 St James University Hospital Leeds
For their loving care during Fr. Donald's last days, especially in the final hours. The sight of these professional people in floods of tears, when he died, spoke volumes of their warmth and kindness, which those present at Fr. Donald's death found most moving.
Christine & staff at Kayes & Son
For all their kindness and help in tending to Fr. Donald after death. Also for her personal kindness to Kevin and Neil during the recent days - especially for being told when to go and rest!
Len and Maggie Ashby
For managing all of the arrangements for the interment of Fr. Donald's ashes in Swyncombe and for providing refreshments afterwards.
Everyone
There's always a danger of missing someone out and so we thank any one and every one who in any way, great or small, who has contributed to the celebrations of Fr. Donald's life - be it something we have forgotten to remember or for just being "here" to remember Fr. Donald.
In preparing Fr. Donald's funeral, we have been brought into contact with so many of his friends from all around the UK and the globe - some we have heard of, but never met. Perhaps the biggest surprise of all was finding his best man who has known him for over 65 years!
We were able to bring together friends in New Zealand (one emigrated, the other visiting) who then celebrated mass in memory of Fr. Donald. Even in his death Fr. Donald joins people together. Indeed this is the main sentiment that comes across for the many tributes we have received from those who knew him. Nearly everyone remarks of his kindness, friendship and good sense of humour, for which we are sure you will know and remember him well.
Flowers
At Fr. Donald's request, no flowers be sent; donations in lieu will be divided between the Parish Church and Our Lady of Walsingham Shrine. Please send (or hand) such donations to Neil Robinson (executor - see below).