August 17 marked a year since the passing of Sister Ethel Normoyle, founder of Missionvale Care Centre.
Going forward this memorial day, named Sister Ethel Day, will be an annual event in the calendar of the centre.
“This is how we will preserve her memory, her values and her ethos,” explained Linda van Oudsheusden, Missionvale Care Centre marketing manager.
Speaker at the event, Deacon Roland Dace, said Normoyle provided beyond food and clothes to the community of Missionvale.
“She did not look at their wants, she considered their needs. Her vision brought hope to the people of Missionvale. To her it was important to educate the community, so she added a school; their health needs had to be seen to so she added a healthcare facility and she added a church, as the community needed spiritual guidance. This woman was closer to God than we think,” said Dace.
Community member, Amelia Afrikaner, described Normoyle as a humble person and expressed gratitude towards the centre for continuing to uphold her values.
“Today we are still benefiting from Sr Ethel; the centre still treats us well and we are grateful for those who continue the work which she unselfishly carried out,” said Afrikaner.
Samantha Streak, a member of the board of trustees, said the board will ensure that the work of Normoyle continues long after her passing.
“The centre must continue to serve the people and the community must continue to receive the support from the centre. Our responsibility is to keep the bigger picture in mind.
“We are working on plans to ensure that we grow the centre in more ways,” Streak added.
Attendees to the event were encouraged to create mosaic hearts in Normoyle’s honour.
The mosaics are a representation of her inclusivity of all people whom she carried in her heart.
- Anyone who would like to purchase a heart in honour of Normoyle, can contact the centre.
