On October 11, 1924 another Sabbath dawned on the eastern horizon and the first cries of Mavis Pearl Rennalls could be heard as Gerald and Thermutis Renalls welcomed their second of nine children. Mavis was the oldest girl and quickly assumed the role of second mother to her younger siblings, and in that role could be quite bossy. The Rennalls family lived in Riversdale, St. Catherine, Jamaica W.I. but soon moved to Darling Spring, St. Catherine.
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> Mavis received her primary education at Hamshire Primary School. The family because of its size, was self-entertaining and Mavis, though surrogate mother, yet Tom-boy, enjoyed playing cricket with her brothers and could bat with the best of them.
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> After completing school, Mavis moved to Kingston, Jamaica to further her education,pursuing sewing and nursing, and in 1954 migrated to England where she lived with her brother Lloyd. One cold day in January 1955, a taxi pulled up in front of the building where she lived and a tall handsome young man from Jamaica alighted from the taxi. Mavis was looking through the window and in her usual humor mused that “the red one looked cold.” She would meet Keith Oliver Diedrick and they would marry 8 months later in August 1955. The Diedricks remained in England for 9 years and subsequently returned to Jamaica for 3 and a half years. The family was blessed with three daughters: Faith(deceased), Gloria and Pam.
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> In 1960, the family moved to Bronx N.Y. where Mavis worked in a nursing home. After the death of her father in 1973, Mavis and Keith moved to Florida to accommodate Mavis’ aging mother . She was employed by the Miami Jewish Home and Hospital for the aged from 1973 until her retirement in October 1994.
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> Mavis was a devoted member of the Riversdale and North Street Adventist Churches in Jamaica; the Lusham SDA Church, England ; the North Bronx SDA church in New York;the North Miami , Covenant and Northwest Dade SDA Churches in Florida; serving as Kindergarten Sabbath School teacher, Sabbath School Superintendent, and Community Services Director.
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> Keith describes his life with Mavis as “a wonderful, beautiful and loving life.” Those of us who gathered at Memorial Hospital on Sabbath October 27, could testify that their relationship was ordained by God. In life, Mavis was kind, helpful, generous and devoted to her husband, children and God. She enjoyed cooking and supporting any program for the betterment of children. She was a joy to be around. Mavis lived on the sunny side of life.
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> As her final moments approached, Mavis held firm to her trust in God. When you visited her, you left blessed, inspired and counseled. Those who knew her have no doubt that the words of 2 Timothy 4:7 were penned with Mavis Diedick in mind.
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> “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth is laid up for me a crown of righteousness which the Lord,the righteous judge,shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing”
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> Sis. Deidrick was confident that she would awake in the first resurrection.
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> Left lonely, is Keith her beloved husband of 63 years; her two daughters, Gloria and Pam; son Horace; two brothers - Rupert and Calvin and one sister Doreen currently residing in Spain. (All of her other siblings preceded her in death). Four grandchildren: Diana (husband Courtney), Wayne (wife Joanna), Roger (wife Charisse)and Robert.
> Three great grand children: Maya, Marley, and Yana. Several nieces and nephews and a host of friends and adopted children.
> She will be forever in our hearts. We loved her - but God loved her best. Rest In Peace Mavis, we will see you in the morning.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
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