Aunt Halley: 1910-2007

It was with sadness that we heard of the death of my Aunt Halley on Sunday.

Here is a letter of love, gratitude, and remembrance that my mother and sister e-mailed to her days before she died.

Dear Halley,

Halley was the eldest member of our family of eight children. My father adored her and my mother dearly loved her. More than one person has saidthat she looks like our mother and this was more apparent as she grew older.Be that as it may, our Grandma Fielding took special delight in her first grandchild. In the lineup of the family, I was number seven.

Memories of my big sister came into focus when I was very young. I admired my big sister.She set a good example of an industrious worker and saw to it that we helped with the household chores. Her place was at the end of the table nearest thekitchen so she could help with the serving of the meals. No wonder mother called her "the little red hen."

Sunday was a very special day for us as a family. Father and mother loved the Lord and saw to it that we were brought up according to the Word of God.

As the years went by, changes took place. At one time Halley was my Sunday school teacher and even now I remember her teaching from the book of Hebrews, which is the book that I've enjoyed studying and have been helped by the teaching.

For many years my sister worked as secretary for the manager at the Commercial Bank of Australia. The building was impressive and quite intimidating for a young country girl. From time to time I would visit my sister with a message from home. This made me feel so small going into sucha grand building to meet my sister for a short while as we stood behind the glass window. She held that job for many years but the day came when she retired and that was February 9th in preparation for her marriage to Harold Nicholls- a Baptist minister on April 18th.

Years later on that day in 1952 was our wedding day in Singapore. In 1994 on the same day our son Philip andNancy his wife announced the birthday of their oldest son Zachary. From the earliest of days as far back as I can remember, we learned to pray. It is nowonder that our sister Halley was a good Christian example.

She loved flowers and took pleasure in her own garden. She did beautiful needlework and had appreciation for the arts. I thank the Lord that Halley was such a loving, helpful caring sister and a mentor in so many ways. If I had a problem I would ask for her advice which she thoughtfully gave to me.

She was a warrior in prayer and a student of the Word. Praise God we will meet again one day in the heavenly mansion where we will be with our Lord adoring and worshiping Him. He deserves all the praise we can give, and to my sister I say thank you for being such a kind and loving sister.

I'd like Anne towrite a tribute from herself as well to Auntie Halley.

From Anne:

September 2001 has always remained a very special memory for me as I think back on the kind and loving hospitality shown to me by my AuntHalley, Uncle Harold, Ruth, Roslyn and Michael, and will never be forgotten.

Thank you for those memories.

Love, your sister Cinda and Anne