Michael Czerny, S.J.

Nairobi, 21 May 2005

Very dear Maggi's family,
I am so sorry to hear this terribly sad news about Maggi and I hasten to send you my deepest sympathies and condolence. I'm the Canadian Jesuit who became director of IDHUCA after Fr. Segundo Montes was killed, and Maggi and I were colleagues for two years until I left the UCA for Rome. Despite all the confusion and tensions involved in trying to rebuild IDHUCA 1990-1991, Maggi and I were the closest co-workers and truly friends. I always admired, and very much relied upon, her unswerving dedication to the truth and to justice, even when there were pressures from every side. No one worked harder, without complaint, and her only devotion greater than for the cause of human rights was her love for Damian and her family. The last e-mail I received from her, a month ago, was in response to my condolence on the passing of Mr. Popkin; here it is (below), because I think you would like to have it. I join you in thanking God for her life and all she gave and shared, and I pray that gratitude and good memories may slowly take their place along with your painful shock and sense of loss.

Joining you in mourning and especially in giving thanks, yours devotedly
(Fr.) Michael Czerny, S.J.
mczerny@jesuits.ca

18.04
Dear Michael,

Thank you so much for your message. We had a wonderful celebration of my father's life yesterday, full of laughter and tears, with lots of relatives, friends, colleagues, and former students. My father had been very disabled by emphysema and practically blind in recent years, but his intellectual capacity never diminished. He was writing books and coming up with new ideas until this final illness.

All the best,
Maggi