‘Eddie tells me not to promise anything...’

Many a tribute has been written about Mary Fenech Adami who passed away on July 8, 2011. I thought, any more from my side would be just repetition. However, on second thoughts, I remembered what Mary used to tell me whenever we met on social activities or in the vicinity of the open market at Birkirkara: “Emily, I read all your letters. I never miss one. Keep on writing.”

The last time we spoke very briefly was a few days prior to her being admitted to hospital, just after the funeral of Notary Alexander Grech, late husband of Joyce, who for many years was president of the executive committee Nationalist Party Women’s Movement (MNPN).

I have known Mary since the late 1950s when we used to go swimming together. Her younger sister Carmen would be there and also their cousin Mary Ellul who later married my uncle Franky – parents of Fr Joseph Cassar SJ who concelebrated at Mary’s funeral. At that time Mary and I were both single. We kept contact during winter time, when both sisters used to visit their aunt Salvina Ellul who lived in the same block of apartments where we used to live at Floriana.

With my involvement in politics between the years 1966 and 1988, our contacts became more frequent especially when I became a member of the executive committee of the MNPN. I used to pick her up and go together for cultural and social activities which the movement organised from time to time. Wife of an MP and of the leader of the PN, wife of the Leader of the Opposition and later wife of a Prime Minister, Mary never missed a function. I don’t recall ever seeing her playing bingo, but discussing various topics with people, oh, that yes, I do remember. On one occasion, a lady asked me to introduce her to Mary because her son, at the time, was unemployed. Mary told me: “Of course, I will speak to her but I have to be very careful as Eddie always tells me not to promise anything to anyone. But I will surely tell him when he comes home for lunch.”

A favourite expression of Mary’s was: “We will continue to do our best and then, Jagħmel ta’ fuq”. Mary’s faith in God was always strong and visible. She did not like to talk about the ransacking of her house at Birkirkara on Black Monday. I don’t blame her, as just mentioning the subject, I bring to mind the expression on their faces when my late husband Arthur and I visited them and saw the damage which some Labour hooligans caused to their residence.

The description given by all of Mary’s wonderful and charming character filled the pages of newspapers ever since her admission to hospital. More so, after her passing away. All this really befitted her. She should rest assured she won’t be easily forgotten. If anyone had to tell her what an overwhelming last farewell she would be given, she would have thought that they were daydreaming. It all happened and she deserves every bit.

She will be missed not only by her husband of 46 years, by her five children and 10 grandchildren but also by the whole nation.

May she rest in peace and may she have the reward that she deserves for always offering a helping hand. We will also keep her beloved ones in our prayers.