Monrovia – Mother Mary Brownell, the renowned Liberian educator and advocate began her long journey to her final rest Friday as friends, families and well-wishers, donning T-shirt bearing her photo and banners paraded her remains through principal streets of the Capital.
Report by Bettie K. Johnson Mbayo, [email protected]
At wake keeping Friday, held at the St. Thomas Episcopal Church on camp Johnson road, several past and present government official joined the family in recollecting a life many have come to cherish as a bright and shining icon for Liberia.
Mother Brownell, 88, was pronounced dead by health practitioners at John F. Kennedy at 2:10 on March 14.
A trail of peace and women accolades rain on her remains as her brown casket lay at the front of the church aisle, not far from the church sanctuary.
There were several tributes paid including Women, Peace and Education group.
Some group include the YWCA women, MARWOPNET, Liberian Women Political of parties, National Elections commission and the University of Liberia.
Ruth Caesar, of MARWOPNET, said the deceased will be remembered for the immense role she played in bringing peace to Liberia and the West African region.
“She was there for the cause of the downtrodden, elderly men and women.”
“We believe that Ma Mary was called for a purpose, we will remember how you supported the peace process during the bitter years, and standing up to the warlords.”
Madam Caesar added that the peace in Mano River Union was made possible through the fallen icon’s support and advocacy.
“The peace we have today is because of you and we miss you.”
Tributes overcrowded the night as many movements sent messages to the family and sympathizers.
Madam Ceasar also representing the Liberian Women political forum, declared that some 153 women currently have ambitions due to the impact Mother Brownell had on their lives.
Vice President Joseph Boakai, for his part, described Mother Brownell as a great woman of peace and education.
“Today we mourn and celebrate the woman who fought for peace and education, Liberia was bless to have her as their own.”
“We regret that she has passed because there’s no one in this church whose life was not touched by her,” the Vice President lamented.