Mahala E. Arrindell

An Eulogy for Mahala Eulalia Arrindell :

Good morning everyone, first of all for those who do not know me, I’m Eric, Mahala’s youngest and on behalf of my sisters & brothers, we welcome you all.

Thank you for coming here today in person, or via Live Stream, to

remember our beloved mother, Mahala.

We are gathered here to commemorate the life of Mahala Arrindell, whose quiet dedication to helping others, which gives life its purpose, will always be remembered.

I’ll try my best to encapsulate our Mother’s long & healthy life, in just a few short minutes.

Our mother Mahala was born in Trinidad in 1921 & was best known as Hala. As a child she had many fond memories of her parents & three siblings & going to Sunday Catholic Church. Then, onto Macqueripe Beach, swimming in the Sea, playing on the sand, eating Shark ‘n Bake & Corn & staying to late afternoon.

Sadly, Hala’s mother Eulalie Gomes passed away in 1930 at 47 years of age, when Hala was only nine years of age.

It’s hard to imagine in life not having a mother at such an early age, it’s just about the worst thing that could happen to a little girl.

As a Teenager, our mother Hala had met Richard our father. Then, when Hala was 11 years old she was sent to St. Vincent’s boarding school in Nova Scotia until graduated.

Then, at about 18 years she went to stay awile with her sister Aunt Rosa who was married & lived in St. Catherine’s Ontario.

Hala always wanted to be a Nurse & joined St Michael’s Nursing Hospital in Toronto earning a Registered Nurse degree at about 22 years. After graduation she returned to T’dad on the last Pan American Seaplane in 1943.

Our Dad, Richard was awaiting Mahala’s arrival at dockside, albeit in the background trying not to be noticed by Hala’s father Captain Arthur Melbourne Phinney.

That was the same year our Dad proposed marriage to Mom.

Hala continued to live at her father’s home in Port Of Spain & began her first job as RN in 1944, and married Daddy in 1945 at St Patrick’s Church.

Our mother Hala was the glue to our family, and always full of energy & seemingly never retired. No matter where we were as adults, we would always gather at her home as we all know, “happiness is homemade”.

Hala had a heart of gold, always first in-line to help anyone in need & putting herself last, and wanted to be remembered as being able to help people.

She loved a challenge, be it working at a Construction site as a RN, and as a Nestle’ nurse at the local community Clinics where she was called Dr.Hala because she was helpful to them & that was important to her.

Or, to win at a game of Scrabble which was her joy especially with her vocabulary of made-up words.

She was a good listener & a voracious reader of Science medicals & “who done it” books & magazines.

While living in Florida since 1979, she became a very keen observer of NASA’s Space flights, watching the countdown on TV with Dad & rushing outside to look up into the sky to see the Rocket contrails.

Also, Mom used her spare time to volunteer at the Catholic Thrift Shop making many long lasting friendships.

Many of you knew that our Mom loved to travel & after our dear father passed in ‘94......Mom decided to travel with my family to Singapore, Malaysia & Borneo.

Hala loved the sights & eating at the sidewalk food Stalls learning to “chew on Shrimp heads just like the locals do”.

She enjoyed her daily Lambrusco red wine that had to be kept chilled & served with ice.

My mother was such a party girl & loved laughter & to sip Margaritas while storytelling of adventures that entertained our dinner guests who loved to listen & laugh with her for hours.

Hala lived at our home in Austin TX, and it was during those four years our three children got to know & to love their grandmother. Mom was also able to meet all their spouses before their marriages.

Now, just look around you......she got us all to come together again !.

Here is her legacy, her children, her grandchildren, her great grandchildren & loving friends whom are gathered here or via Live Stream to celebrate her life.

Mom held on with her strong willed character until June 16th 2021.

Vanessa and I were blessed to be at Mom’s bedside as she passed away in Macungie, PA, in the home she shared with Vanessa.

Hala was the last of the Phinney siblings at age 99 years of age, when she passed away just 6 months shy of her 100th birthday.

So, I do think we all have lots of good memories to share of her. Mommy ! …we’ll always love & miss you so very much.

The words I would use to describe the way I remember my mother Mahala Eulalie Arrindell are as a selfless, sacrificial & wonderful mother. Hala, as we sometimes called to her later in life, was a Roman Catholic woman of faith & served through her career as a Registered Nurse. Hala was a strict & take-charge type of parent & a loving Mom and friend to all. Mahala was born in Trinidad on December 11th, 1921, and passed away on June 16th,2021. Mom was 99 years & 6 months of age.

Mahala’s mothers name was Eulalie (Elizabeth) Gomes and called Lalee by her family. Eulalie Gomes was born in Lisbon, Portugal. Then the Gomes family moved to Madeira Islands, Portugal before emigrating in 1900 to Port of Spain (POS), Trinidad, West Indies.

In 1910, the children about 10 out of the 13 went to New York, some to Panama & others to California, LA & Sacramento.

Mahala’s fathers name was Arthur Melbourne Phinney, whom was a Master Mariner & Captain at the time of the “Matura” Ship a cargo & passenger ship & was on the way to NY.

As the story goes, it was there that Eulalie Gomes & Arthur Phinney met and had a “Ship board romance”. They were married 3 years later in 1913 in NY.

The children, Elaine born in Brooklyn, NY, October 1914. Francis (Billy) was born in Port of Spain, Trinidad, August 4th, 1916. Joan, born in POS on November 13th, 1918.

Our mother Mahala was born in 1921 in Trinidad, after her father was transferred by the Cunard Shipping Company as Marine Superintendent for Port-of-Spain.

That is how we are 1st generation Trinidadians, now 2 or 3 generations !.

Grandmother Eulalie went into Nursing at the Jewish Hospital in NYC. It was there that she died of Cancer in 1930 at age 47 years. Our future mother Mahala was only nine years of age.

Mahala, the future Mrs. Richard Arrindell was sent as a student from POS to Mount Saint Vincent in Halifax, Canada, and spent several summer vacations in Parrsboro, Nova Scotia, at the home of her aunt, Mrs. James Connors, before returning to POS in 1943.

Upon Mahala’s return to Trinidad in 1943, was on the last Pan American Sea Plane. Richard (our future father) was there to meet her, along with her father. However, with Richard (Dad) being a little intimidated or afraid of Captain Arthur Phinney, he was trying unsuccessfully to stay hidden in the background from Hala’s father. It was the year they decided to get married on November 12th, 1945, at St Patrick’s Church in POS.

A memorial mass for Mahala (with Cremains in Urn) was held Saturday, April 30, 2022 at 11:00 AM at Ascension Catholic Church, 2950 North Harbor City Blvd, Melbourne, Florida 32934.

In Loving Memory!

MAHALA ARRINDELL, December 11TH 1921 ~ June 16TH 2021

Saturday April 30, 2022, AT 11 O’CLOCK IN THE MORNING

ASCENSION CATHOLIC CHURCH

Order of the Mass

Celebrant: Fr. John Bosco Maison

Opening Hymn “Here I am Lord.”

Cross Bearer Ryan Turpin.

First Reading

A reading from the Book of Wisdom (3: 1-6,9)

Responsorial Psalm: 27

Reader: Andrew Arrindell

Response: The Lord is my light and my salvation.

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom should, I fear?

The Lord is the stronghold of my life; before whom should I shrink?

Response

There is one thing I ask of the Lord, for this I long, to live in the house of the Lord, all the days of my life, to savor the sweetness of the Lord to behold his temple.

Response.

O Lord, hear my voice when I call; have mercy and answer. It is your face, 0 Lord, that I seek; hide not your face.

Response

I am sure I shall see the Lord's goodness in the land of the living. Hope in him and take heart. Hope in the Lord!

Response

Second Reading A reading from the first letter of Paul to the Corinthians. (15:51-57)

Reader: Aaron Jones

Acclamation

Gospel Response: “Alleluia”

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew. (5: 1-12)

Deacon Sergio Colon Homily.

Prayers of the faithful:

Readers: Ryan Turpin, Melody Turpin, Charles Arrindell, Rita Arrindell.

OffertoryGift bearers: Kelvin Arrindell, Valerie Arrindell-Wleczyk.

Offertory Hymn “On Eagles Wings”

Holy Holy Holy, holy, holy Lord God of hosts.Heaven and earth are full of your glory.Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

Mystery of Faith Save us, savior of the world, for by your cross and resurrection you have set us free.

Great Amen Response: Amen

Our Father Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; Thy kingdom come; thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.

… (some words by the priest)

For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, Now and forever. Amen.

Lamb of God Lamb of God, You take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.

Lamb of God, You take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.

Lamb of God, You take away the sins of the world, grant us peace.

Communion hymn

Meditation

“One Bread One Body”

“Ave Maria”

Eulogy Eric Arrindell & Vanessa Arrindell,

Song of Farewell “Amazing Grace”

THANK YOU FOR SHARING IN THIS DAY OF REMEMBRANCE FOR MAHALA .

Immediately after the Service the burial will take place at FL Memorial Gardens, 5950 US-1 Rockledge, FL 32955.

After MAHALA has been placed NEXT TO HER beloved RICHARD.

All are invited to a CELEBRATION OF LIFE Luncheon at the Event Center FL Memorial Gardens.

Our Daddy, Richard Massy Arrindell born in Trinidad April 19th, 1920, was a kind, gentle, patient & loving father to all of us five siblings. Mom & Dad met while they were growing up in Port of Spain, Trinidad. Dad came from a family of five Hugh, Stuart, Peter & Pamela all deceased. Dad died of Cancer in 1994 at 74 years, in Melbourne FL. Richard.

Dad graduated with distinction from QRC Queens Royal College in POS. As a young man, he was good in sports & ran with top athletes at QRC. Then, he began working in the Oilfields of south Trinidad in Barrack-pore for Texaco as a drilling engineer.

Our mother’s first job was as a Registered Nurse RN in 1943 thru 1945 in Trinidad, where she worked with several doctors over a few years.

Our parents, Mahala (Hala) & Richard were married on November 12th, 1945 at St Patrick’s Church in POS.

Oilfield life continued in the Bungalows of Barrack-pore & Forest Reserve for the next two years. It was not easy as there were few conveniences, but there was a Club house for socials & some sport facilities for Swimming, Cricket & Soccer. Their lifestyle became a joy with their first-born Richard Gordon on October 2nd, 1946 at the Pointe-a-Pierre Hospital.

Richard, our dad was 27 years in 1947, and they moved to Indiana, USA for his four-year Mechanical Engineering Degree, which he graduated with Honors when he was 31 years in 1951.

Patricia was born during that time in Indiana on June 22nd, 1950.

After Dad completed his degree they all-Gordon, Pat, Mom & Dad-returned to T’dad. Dad continued work for Texaco at Forest Reserve & Point-a-Pierre, and during that time he had an accident on the Rig & lost part of the 3rd Finger of left hand.

Charles was born October 6th, 1951, and the Twins Vanessa & Eric were born April 26th, 1954, in Point-a-Pierre Hospital.

In 1964, Dad retired from the Oilfield engineering work and began a career of Mechanical engineering with Neal & Massy. Our granduncle Charles Massy, a brother to Dad’s mother Dorothy (Dolly) Arrindell insisted that Dad work with him in the company.

Our family of seven lived in Gopaul St, Vistabella, San Fernando, T’dad, and we all had fun with Mom & Dad, especially with his slow driving us to & from School. Dad was very patient when we complained about his driving speed. Years later he laughingly told Pat that driving us to school was a nightmare. He could anticipate everything we were going to say, word for word. Hahaha !.

Our parents continued to work to support our family, with Mom working as an RN in the nearby Nursing Home. Mom worked at FED CHEM, Claxton Bay, for an American company from Texas building a chemical plant there as the nurse for the American Co. that was from 1960 to 65.

Then, Mom worked as a Nestles Nurse, Mom was hired with Nestle’ Co, to help provide Milk product to enhance quality of life for nursing Mothers & Babies at the Government run Medical Clinics in southwestern part of T’dad.

Richard Massy Arrindell, our Dad, was extremely proud of his heritage as a descendant of Scottish Stuart royalty and Dukes of Norfolk, as well as Baron (Von Stroeben Hardt) of the black Forest area Germany.

Dad loved to talk about it, being proud of his father August Schoener Arrindell (Arundel) b. 1885 d. 1956. August was Commissioner of Police at St James Barracks, POS.

Then, August married in 1910 to Dad’s mother Dorothy May Massy b.1894 d.1983, Irish royalty, decendant of Lord Massy of Limerick, Ireland.

These were our formative years, and we were encouraged to leave home to seek adventures overseas.

In 1964, eldest brother Richard Gordon at age 18 years went overseas to California and promptly joined the Marines. After basic training in San Diego, was shipped off to Vietnam via Honolulu, Japan & Da Nang, Vietnam. Gordon did not join marines to avoid Draft, as the Draft was instituted later for the Vietnam War. He joined to go to school/college but that didn’t happen until he came back.

Richard returned home to T’dad briefly, before settling in Los Angeles, using the GI Bill eligibility for a Photography degree.

Mom said she sent Gordon to California after the priest at his school in La Romain said he would never pass GCE. More interested in reading Tarzan novels than schoolwork. Hahaha !.

In 1967, after Patricia graduated from Convent Secondary School (High School) at age 17 years went to Whitby, Ontario to live with Dorothy Mae Gauthier (Mom’s best friend). Pat enrolled for one year of upper level grade 13 school doing Chemistry & Physics for Nursing Studies. Then, continued internship for three years at Toronto General for her Respiratory Therapist degree. During that time, she met & had a romantic relationship with Charles Vivian Turpin of Charlotteville, Tobago. After graduation, Pat returned to Tobago in October 1971 & later was married. Pat’s found her calling in life & her love for Tobago blossomed into a lifelong career to protect & enhance the Island’s environment. Her greatest challenge was working as a Game Warden!. Pat is currently living there as of 2021 and involved in Environmental Management Authority.

As per our mother, I was nicknamed “Cinderella” because if I was not home from a party at midnight, my mother would come and collect me. Literally. And NO dating at 16. Eldest daughter. Somehow the same rules did not apply to Vanessa. hahaha !. When I left for Canada, she told me she was very proud of me taking off on this adventure. All I did was cry the whole way to Canada I was so damned scared.

Sorry! I digress from writing about Dad while we were children.

Charles passed his Eleven Plus exams in San Fernando & went to high school named Trinity College in the capitol of POS. Charles lived with our grandmother Dorothy (Dolly) in her small home at 15 Long Circular Rd, St James. On Sundays, Mom or Dad would make the 60-mile road trip with Charles to drop him off for the school week. On Fridays he was picked up & returned home in Vistabella,San Fernando.

Once Charles graduated in 1968, he joined the Banking industry.

In 1972 Charles travelled to Los Angeles CA, to continue his profession in Banking.

The Twins were busy as well, once Vanessa graduated from Convent Secondary School, Vanessa applied & received her “Green Card” due to Mom being a Naturalized American Citizen. Then, at 20 years of age, travelled to LA in 1974. However, after 15 months of LA’s Smog & the cold water of the Pacific Ocean, she moved to sunny Florida. There began her career working for NASA, as a Computer Programmer on the space program in Florida for several years. However, she lived the greater part of her life in Macungie, PA.

I, Eric did my secondary school along with Charles, but two years & half years his junior. We both had shared & similar experiences noted above living with our grandmother Dorothy, “Dolly” Arrindell.

After school, I went straight into the Oil business in 1971, as Dad got me my first job working with Skinner drilling T’dad as a Trainee Apprentice to work up to a position of Driller. I travelled from the comfort of home in 1977 at age 23 years to continue work as an Oilfield Driller. I was given job by my Uncle Peter Arrindell (Dad’s brother) who worked for Shell, Borneo & gained international experience working in the Oil Industry. Currently lives in Austin, TX since 1998.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.FloridaMemorialFH-Gardens.com for the Arrindell family.