Written by: Sophia Roman
Article source: JOY! Magazine
“Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised. Reward her for all she has done. Let her deeds publicly declare her praise” – Proverbs 31: 30-31
August is Women’s Month – and each year August 9th is celebrated as National Women’s Day. This public holiday celebrates the strength and resilience of women and their contribution to society and our country.
Six months before my mom could turn 80 strong years, she joined the cloud of witnesses cheering us on to finish well and strong. Her death was sudden, but we are at peace.
Daddy’s love for mom
Doreen Elaine Van Rooyen (nee Noah), hails from the diamond city, Kimberley. A humble young girl of 19 years old married her pastor who was 15 years her senior (ironically, she passed on what would have been my parents’ 60th wedding anniversary). My dad’s love for her was visible and gentle throughout our childhood. He deeply loved mommy until his death parted them 20 years ago. Demonstrating grace, love, and forgiveness has now become our heritage as shown by our father, Arthur Stephen Van Rooyen.
Mommy was a woman of strength who served others with great love, grace, and dignity.
Living with raw authenticity
Mom’s life was significant – she was a pastor’s wife and the mother of two daughters, seven sons, and 28 grandchildren. Mom struggled to cope in life with all the children, the demands of ministry, and having her own personal issues. She endured a hard life and lived it with raw authenticity. She was our precious mom and we loved her dearly for who she was.
It was hard to see her go down so quickly after suffering a severe stroke. What was even more difficult was that she died in an ICU ward in hospital, unlike my dad for whom we could sing choruses around his bed and read scriptures until he slipped away peacefully. However, we have made peace with the nature of her passing.
BACK: Ma Doreen, daughters Sophia & Priscilla, and baby Jadine
FRONT: Granddaughters Hannah-Joy and Faith Esther
Charity begins at home
My mom left her greatest impact in the community of Danville, Mahikeng, where we lived. Respect and honour was high on her list of core values. It was humbling to see how she upheld and stayed true to these values in the most difficult seasons in life. In her own humble way she served her community – one family, one person at a time.
She would give her last to the poor. I remember how mom would lay the table in grand style for the homeless and serve them our food, treat them like royalty with great dignity. No wonder on the night of her memorial service the entire community came to support us as a family. It was a cold autumn’s night, the church was packed to capacity and outside along the windows people lined up to pay their respects.
That night the tributes were done by the people. We, as her children, sat with our hearts swelling with pride as one person after the other told stories of our mom’s impact in their life. Mommy was indeed a woman of strength, a dignified lady who served her children, grandchildren, and others with great love, grace, and dignity. She took personal responsibility to disciple us as her children and took the time out to teach us what it looks like to serve others unconditionally.
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Date published: 17/07/2022
Feature image: Sophia & Ma Doreen
Sophia Roman is a pioneer, visionary and life transformation coach. Sophia and her husband Theo pastor the West Reach AOG Church in Mitchells Plain.
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