Recognising a life of service

Posted Sep  7, 2015 in Faith

Rev Rob Tann reflects on the life of Fay Boxall, whose funeral was held in early September 2015. Fay played a significant role in the history of the Methodist and Uniting churches.

The funeral of Fay Boxall, long-term resident of Kangaroo Island, was held at Kingscote Uniting Church on Friday 4 September. Fay passed away the previous week after an eight-month battle with pancreatic cancer.

The celebration of Fay’s life and ministry was conducted by local minister Rev Rob Tann, and was attended by close to 250 people. The Uniting Church chapel and its adjacent hall were filled with members of the church and local community. A closed circuit TV link meant those people seated in the hall were able to participate fully.

Guests included Hon Michael Pengilly, Member for Finniss, previous Kangaroo Island Mayor Jane Bates, other local council and business members, and two past ministers from the Kangaroo Island Uniting Church Parish, Rev Ian Clarkson and Rev Bob Hutchinson. A formal pastoral greeting was received from Uniting Church SA Moderator Dr Deidre Palmer, and her husband, Dr Lawrie Palmer. The Palmers are well known to the Island and had been close friends of the Boxalls for many years.

Fay Gregurke was born in Tumby Bay in 1941, and was educated in both Ungarra and Tumby Bay schools. She committed her life to Christ at an Arno Bay youth camp. At a later youth camp, Fay was challenged by Rev Murray Chambers to train for the ministry of Deaconess – the only formal Methodist ministry possible for women at the time. She completed her study approximately 60 years ago, and was appointed to Kangaroo Island for her first placement.

On Kangaroo Island, Fay met local farmer Malcom Boxall, and was faced with a difficult choice – marry him and give up the ministry (which was only open to single women at the time) or give up Malcolm. She chose the latter.

Deaconess or not, Fay’s dedication to God and the church meant that she continued to hugely contribute to the Methodist (later Uniting) Church and to Christian ministry across the Island. This included many years as a representative at the annual Synod meetings held in Adelaide, in addition to working alongside Malcolm in church and community events. At the same time their three children, Dene, Naomi and Michelle, were raised and mothered with love and devotion.

In remembering her life, Fay’s family – her husband, Malcolm, her children, and their partners – shared in a moving family tribute, each focussing on her positive influence in their own lives.

Rev Rob Tann shared a message that affirmed Fay’s strong faith and love for Jesus Christ. He encouraged those in attendance to learn from Fay, who was confident of the future and had faced her declining health with hope and faith in her Saviour, Jesus Christ.

“I have been on the Island as minister [for] a little over two years, and Fay was the first person to call and say hello the day our moving van arrived,” Rob reflected.

“Since then, she was part of our ministry support group, and her knowledge of church matters over many decades was invaluable. Her love for people and her heart for prayer were examples for many to follow. I appreciated Fay and her faith.”

Following the burial at Kingscote Cemetery, the guests shared afternoon tea in the Kingscote Uniting Church hall.

The Uniting Church wishes to place on record their thanksgiving to God for Fay’s life – her amazing years of devotion and consistent pastoral care, her gentle encouraging smile, and her “behind the scenes” actions, which meant her life touched those of many others.

 

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