AnnTIERNAN13.07.1946 - 25.10.2023
Today my heart is sad as I say goodbye to my dear friend Ann Tiernan. We sadly never managed to meet, although we corresponded for just over 20 years, but I hope that it will be, "goodbye dear Ann until we do meet at Jesus's feet in Glory, one day.!" My name is Rosemary Gibbs (nee Savage) and I live in South Africa, on the beautiful West Coast in a seaside town called Langebaan. This is my story of how a friendship, between Ann and I, over many years, in two different countries, across the ocean, proved precious and strong. How did this friendship begin? Ann's father, Michael Tiernan, a British serviceman during the 1940's, met my father who was a fitter and turner in the workshops at Cape Town Docks, South Africa. His ship, like several others, would come in to dock at CT for possible repair work. My father got to meet the servicemen on the ships and would entertain them in our home and show them the beautiful scenic drives around Cape Town. My two brothers were a few years older than me, so they were privileged to know "Uncle" Michael and the other servicemen who came into our home. I never met him as I was born in 1945, at the end of the war. According to my late mothers friendship book, Michael's ship left Cape Town in 1943. As I grew older, having heard these interesting stories, I began to wonder if "Uncle" Michael was indeed still alive. Correspondence had apparently somehow ceased between his family and ours, in the late 1940's. I was curious and found my chance to do some investigating. About 20 years ago, a young man from Liverpool was visiting our Church in Cape Town, and as he was about to return home for a while, he agreed to post my request for information about Michael in the Saturday night Echo.! A few days later I received a phone call from Michael Tiernan himself. I was overjoyed and still couldn't believe I'd found him. He was so thankful for the renewed contact and expressed his gratitude for the kindness and love he'd experienced in my parents home, as those were some of the happiest days of his life, he said. And so this is when Ann and I began corresponding, mostly by way of handwritten letters and cards at Easter and Christmas. Later by emails. Ann's beautiful calligraphy writing was something to behold, and I still have those letters and cards as a reminder of a beautiful friend. We built a warm friendship over these 20 plus years and it felt like we'd always known one another. It was as if her dear father, Uncle Michael had laid a foundation in his close friendship with my parents, from years back, which enabled us to become fond and trusted friends. When Ann became ill, I didn't hear from her much at all. Her dear friend Margaret thankfully found my contact details and has been such a blessing in reconnecting Ann and I during this past year or so. Thank you Margaret may you be blessed for all your love and care for Ann. I will always remember Ann Tiernan with much affection and trust God for the day when we shall meet in His Glorious Presence. Goodbye beautiful friend I will miss you. Your time on Earth has ended and your suffering is over. With much love, your friend Rosemary. S.A.
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