Gwen Levi 1920 – 2008
Gwen Magrill (Genendel Beila bat Yehuda Zeev & Bessa Leah) was born in Sunderland on 19 June 1920. She was the youngest of 8 brothers and sisters and the only one born in Sunderland after the family moved there from Dublin at the tail end of WW1.
Her mother Bessie (nee Stern) died in 1932 when she was 12, so she was largely brought up by her elder sisters.
Gwen served as a technician in the British Army in WW2, and later trained as a teacher. She taught domestic science, and was always known for her cookery and baking prowess.
She was active in AJEX, and it was during an AJEX trip to Belfast in 1956 with her good friend Maisie Sampson that she met her future husband Arthur Levi who drove them from Dublin.
They married on 13 Aug 1957 and lived in Belfast. She continued to teach, until she gave up full-time teaching to devote herself to raising her 2 wonderful sons (guess who wrote this?).
Gwen taught part-time in the Belfast Hebrew School and the Yavne kindergarten; generations remember her as Auntie Gwen.
Whenever any strangers turned up in the community, she was the first to invite them home – we saw an endless procession of new faces across the dinner table as well as many regulars. She was proud that she could entertain the Rabbi at her kitchen table.
She realised her dream of making Aliyah in 1981, moving to the apartment in Rishon le Zion in 1982 that was to be her home until her passing. It wasn’t easy starting life in a new country at that age as neither Gwen or Arthur mastered the language. Its been a revelation though how much she was appreciated by her neighbours and every day we hear stories of her generosity and kindness.
We choose to remember her not as she was in her last few years, but as she was in her prime – a wife, a mother and a woman who touched the lives of many.
She will be sorely missed.
Jon & Ben
27 July, 2008
Rishon Le Zion, Israel
|
July 27th, 2008 at 2:08 pm
Gwen, known as “Aunty Gwen” by Belfast’s Jewish children should actually have merited the title “Mora” (teacher) Gwen. She was and will always be in my memory mora Gwen. Her love and passion for teaching yiddishkeit to me and my contemporaries was so far-reaching. For Gwen it was a mission, her mission in life and she did it without compromise. She surely was the most influential religious influence on Belfast’s children in the 1970?s, during the years I was at cheder.
“Yehei Zichra baruch” – May she always be remembered. And may we remember her as mora Gwen.
July 29th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
Auntie Gwen was the most uncomplaining person I knew; her driving force was to be of help to others. She could not bear the thought of causing any inconvenience or bother to anybody else. This characteristic is typical of the Sunderland Magrills, all of whom found it difficult to state their wishes directly, or accept gifts or help. She had a deep belief in Judaism and particularly in the hereafter. Consequently, she had, for many years, been anticipating a joyous reunion with her beloved parents and sisters. I do not think she ever had a truly wicked thought, and she lived by her own strict rules of morality, which may not always have been easy for her nearest and dearest.
August 12th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
Some Memories of Gwen
I’ve a lot of vivid memories of Gwen: here are a few to start with.
* * *
Picture the scene: it’s 1950’s Belfast and a little version of yours truly belongs to the Jewish Wolf Cub Pack based at Northleigh. Our Akela is one A M Levi Esq, my cousin. Not that the relationship means anything during the meetings, but afterwards I’d sometimes enjoy “cousin’s perks”, an occasional ride on the back of Arthur’s Vespa. We’d zoom up Somerton Road, Antrim Road and Old Cave Hill Road to his parents’ (my Aunt Pauline and Uncle Myer) at number 33.
This particular day I know the visit is going to be very different because I’m going to meet Arthur’s fiancée from some unimaginable, exotic, foreign place called Sunderland; and so it happens that Gwen’s first encounter with me is in her about-to-be in-law’s, with a scruffy boy in cub’s uniform.
* * *
Gwen and Arthur’s home was an ever-open door of hospitality and generosity: if I was fortunate enough to be invited, the highlight of the year was Seder night, or more to the point, Gwen’s superbly prepared and delicious meals!
Not only was I a guest at occasions like that but in 1978 I actually became a lodger for a few days while I was temporarily between homes. Undoubtedly it was an unforgettable experience for the household because I accidentally set fire to the curtains – don’t ask – but Gwen didn’t turn a hair (well, maybe just one or two!).
* * *
I think my most enduring memory of Gwen is her sense of humour, especially her laugh. Whenever she saw the funny side, she gave full vent to that most infectious, unique “Gwen Laugh”.
October 10th, 2008 at 2:10 pm
We left Belfast 31 years ago, where we knew Gwen and Arthur and where our children all went to school and Cheder together.
Rosalind and I have sweet and pleasant memories of Gwen. We were not very close friends but enjoyed that special rapport which was so memorable within the Belfast community.
We remember Gwen as sweet and gentle… a good mother and a popular and talented teacher, well beloved by her children. She had a great sense of humour and of course she was driven by her passionate love of Yiddishkeit.
I have no sporting memories of Gwen but vividly remember Arthur’s tennis, and the day he punctured my inflated opinion of myself…… in match play of course.
A little more remote, but there was the happy bridge game over many years, enjoyed by my father Philip Price, with Arthur’s dad Myer, Abe Simmons and Barney Goldfoot. Wonderful memories !!
Rosalind and I wish Arthur. Jon and Leonard “Long life” with the hope that happy memories will dull some of the pain of Gwen’d passing
October 10th, 2008 at 2:10 pm
Obviously I left Belfast at the same time as my parents in 1977 and have regrettably lost direct contact with many. But I certainly have many fond memories of my formative years and particularly concerning the Levy family.
“Auntie” Gwen’s (& “Uncle Arthur”) involvement with youth activities remain vivid in my mind. Particularly Chedar Outings when she gave up her time to ensure that all the children enjoyed themselves. It is only now that I appreciate how much of an effort this can be having been through the same experiance with my own children.
Nothing was too much trouble with our enjoyment creating Gwen’s satisfaction.
My heartfelt condolences and “Chayim Arukim” to the whole family.
October 10th, 2008 at 2:11 pm
I can only add to dad (Eddie Price) and Barry’s tributes to ‘Auntie Gwen’.
Our memories of the whole Belfast community are vivid and warm. Nothing is more cherished or could replace our wonderful heritage made all the more special by the wonderful contribution by our elders such as ‘Auntie Gwen’ who gave generously so much to so many, always with a smile.
I have spent a long time reading the history and tributes and looking through the photo slideshow on this beautiful web tribute and feel privileged to have been part of the Levi family history.
I wish you all Long Life.
Gillian Rowe, nee Price born Belfast April 1959 xx
November 6th, 2008 at 2:11 pm
I too fell proud to be able to pay tribute to Gwen through this wonderful site. And how very fitting that Belfast people from around the world are gathering together on this site to remember old times. For it was her strong sense of community that made us love and respect Gwen so much.
I still have warm memories of “Hamora” Gwen but I also remember how much of an interst she took in the Bnei Akiva branch in Belfast and the many “Seudot Shlishit” for the madrichim in the Levi home after the shabbat afternoon activities. Gwen and Arthur loved having Shabbat guests and we loved being their to enjoy the special Shabbat atmosphere they created. Gwen loved to feel she was making a difference to the lives of the youth of the community. And she did- more than she ever knew.
“Yehei Zichra Baruch”
Lindsey Shapiro-Steinberg
March 21st, 2009 at 2:12 pm
I am an ex Sunderlander–left with Sondra , my wife in 1955.
Even though over 50 years have passed since my Sunderland days I still have a vivid memory of Gwen and the wonderful Magrill family.
She was a sweet person and very community minded. She came from that sort of family background.
I feel very good to add this memory of her to the website–it is obvious she was a person that had made a teriffic impact.
I also remember that my late parents Annie and Michael Burnley held Gwen and all her family in very high esteem
Sincerely
Lionel Burnley
October 4th, 2009 at 2:12 pm
We first met Gwen and Arthur in 1981 through my mother who was Matron at the Joel Intract Home in Sunderland, where she looked after Gertrude and Ida. Gwen invited us to her home in Rishon, which we visited many timesover the years. We are immensely grateful for her great kindness and hospitality, giving us accommodation, beautiful meals and food to take on journeys. We will always remember eating her rice cakes during an interminable wait at the Egyptian border at Rafah. She was a very kind lady.