I was born in the town of Grahamstown, in the Eastern Province of South Africa, in 1951. When I was 3 years old, I moved with my family to live in Pretoria. I did all my schooling there, and studied for a degree in nursing at the University of Pretoria. All my education was through the medium of Afrikaans, my mother tongue. My last year of school, and a 'gap year' afterwards, I spent with Springbok Stampede, a travelling music show, sponsored by Moral Rearmament (MRA). It was a thrilling time for me, criss-crossing the country with a team of young people, forging friendships that have lasted to this day.
After I completed my nurse's training, I worked with MRA both in Britain and South Africa. During that time I met my husband, John Burrell, and we were married in Pretoria in 1977. Both our fathers, George Daneel and Arthur Burrell were clergy and involved with MRA. They jointly conducted our marriage service. We worked with MRA in Rhodesia (later Zimbabwe) and South Africa until 1984, when we went to England and John trained for the priesthood in the Anglican Church. We returned to South Africa where John served in the Church of the Province of SA for 11 years. We then returned to England in 2001, and John served in parishes in South Warwickshire and South Oxfordshire. From 1990 to 2015, I worked as a hospice nurse, both in SA and in England. Between the years 1982-88, we were blessed with 2 sons and a daughter.
John died very suddenly and unexpectedly in 2015 from a heart attack. My life changed dramatically. I found myself wondering who I was, suddenly on my own in a country not my own. I was grateful for the faith I had, nurtured by my parents, my church and MRA, which kept me steady during a difficult time. I have since moved to Sheffield, England, where I live near two of my children, and 3 of my grandchildren. I have also explored a deeper spiritual path, which has led me to offering accompaniment to others on a similar path. I regard it as a huge privilege, and together with being so close to my family, my life feels very rich and hugely rewarding.
