A TRIBUTE TO – MARION MENGELL
I was shocked and saddened when I read the message on St Martin’s Church WhatsApp group that Marion had passed away on 25th July 2023.
In 2007 when the crime was getting out of hand and criminals were escaping along the Spruit, Natalie Vos advised Helmine le Roux and me to start a FRIEND’S GROUP.
We didn’t even know what a Friend’s Group was.
A tea was organised at CHERRY BERRY where 40 people attended. Christa Spoelstra (our DA Councillor) and Marion were the important guests who were invited.
I knew Marion from when our children attended Irene Primary School, so it was lovely to make contact with her again. Marion, in her professional way quickly put a few people together to form a committee for Friends of Doringkloof Spruit, and at the same time organised a Spruit clean-up after the tea!
Friends of Doringkloof Spruit were off to a good start from that time on. Marion effortlessly organised our membership with WESSA and provided us with a constitution that is still in use.
Whenever the Committee had a problem, we could ask Marion for advice, and she would put us in contact with the right people. She was our “go-to” person and we were always helped without effort and in a loving caring manner.
Marion also organised Bird Courses at Nylsvley in Limpopo. Birders were accommodated in the Group Camp and the most delicious meals were enjoyed in a relaxed atmosphere. Many friends were made and much was learnt about birds by birding experts like Geoff Lockwood, Ulrich Oberprieler, and Faansie Peacock. The courses always ended off with a bird walk at Vogelfontein.
4 September 2009 Helmine le Roux, Marion, Dr Clive Napier(Clr), Mike Correia (NC), Margie Rutsch, Marie de la Rey and Tinie Ferreira (all Committee members). This was the start of planting 200 trees in the Spruit.
Marion Mengell touched many lives with her positive loving attitude. She was a hands-on person who multi-tasked with ease. I think many different people will be taking over the work she did with excellence in her no-nonsense way.
She will be sorely missed by her husband, Ron, son Malcolm-John, daughter Katrina, grandchildren, and many, many friends.
Our condolences to all. May she rest in peace.
Regards,
Marie de la Rey
FORMER CHAIRMAN 2008-2019
FRIENDS OF DORINGKLOOF SPRUIT
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