The Very Rev Father Richard Ho Lung reflects on the life of his sister Loretta Williams who passed away on January 6, 2023.

“The Lord gives, the Lord takes away, blessed be his name.” John married Loretta, Loretta married John. One choice for each and they did it right. The Lord brought them together and they gave themselves to each other and multiplied.

Through good and bad times, in sickness and in health, they were together, loving one another through difficulties and problems, misfortunes and misunderstanding.

They remained faithful. “How can this be?” modernists ask. They were bound together by God, not by contract, and they honoured this calling and gift to one another “until death do us part”.

Johnny and Loretta suffered great pain in their old age. Temptations were offered by their doctors, friends, and counsellors. “Best for you to put her in a home for the aged. She will be more comfortable and you will not have to worry about her.” But they loved one another and wanted to be together.

“She is my wife, and we have taken care of each other and the children all our lives,” John said.

“I want to be with my husband, and in our own home where we brought up our children,” Loretta added.

Being apart from one another was not an option.

Loretta had alzheimers, high blood pressure, and arthritis. Having to attend to each other’s bodily cares, cooking and cleaning without the physical strength, and getting goods for their daily needs were difficult, but they told themselves, “We’ll manage somehow. I love you, my darling.”

Johnny and Loretta loved each other and would be present with each other to the end.

“She wanted me to be with her,” he said.

Loretta would ask, “Daddy, where are you?”

“I am here cleaning the room and cooking,” he would respond.

He spent the rest of time with her in the living room.

On Friday, January 6 at 4:55 am English time, Loretta died. She made it through Christmas and entered 2023. Johnny is 84 years old, Loretta died at the age of 85.

Peter, Roger, Richard, and Tracy marvelled at their dedication and love for one another. Johnny marvelled at Loretta’s quiet strength and sense of humour. Roger placed the cellphone to her ears. She did not verbally respond but her eyes were wide open.

“I love you, Loretta, and all your friends in Jamaica love you. God loves you and forgives your weaknesses and sin,” he said. She smiled.

The only gift I have to give Loretta, Johnny, the children, and grandchildren are the words from Wisdom 3:1-5: “The souls of the just are in the hand of God, and no torment shall touch them. They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead; and their passing away was thought an affliction and their going forth from us, utter destruction… Chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed, because God tried them and found them worthy of Himself.”

John 14:1 “In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places… I will go and prepare a place for you.”

The Very Rev Father Richard Ho Lung is the founder of Missionaries of the Poor.