Social and Personal

ABELA. On January 23, at Karin Grech Hospital Maternity Wing, to Angela née Bonello and David, God's precious gift of a daughter - EMMA, a most welcome sister to Kristina and Lisa. Praise be to God, the Divine Mercy and Our Lady. Special thanks to the obstetrician and the maternity staff.

CASARINI. On January 8, at Gozo General Hospital, to Sandra née Cassar and Giovanni, God's precious gift of a daughter - MARIA CATERINA, a welcome sister to Francesco. Special thanks to the gynaecologists, midwife Mary Rose Grech and all the maternity staff.

FLORES. On January 22, at Karin Grech Hospital Maternity Wing, to Claire née Bugeja and Edward, God's most precious gift of a first-born son - MATTHEW.

GALEA. On January 15, at Karin Grech Hospital Maternity Wing, to Jo-Anna née Chetcuti and William, God's precious gift of a daughter - JULIANNE, a welcome sister to Liam. Deo gratias et Mariae. Special thanks to our families, our obstetrician and all the maternity staff.

SCERRI. On January 22, at Karin Grech Hospital Maternity Wing, to Odile née Seychell and Paul, God's precious gift of a first-born son - JEROME. Deo gratias et Mariae. Thanks to all the hospital staff.

Engagements

Mr KEVIN CASSAR, B.Com. (Hons) and Miss JULIANA BEZZINA, B.Com.
The engagement is announced between KEVIN, son of Mr and Mrs Victor Cassar, of Fgura, and JULIANA, daughter of Mr and Mrs Anthony Bezzina, of Paola. Fr Hilary Tagliaferro blessed the rings.

Marriages

Mr LORENZO Di RUBBO and Miss ELENA BORG COSTANZI
The marriage between LORENZO, youngest son of Mr and Mrs F. Di Rubbo of Cerreto, Italy, and ELENA, youngest daughter of Mr and Mrs A. Borg Costanzi of Sliema, took place on Saturday, January 15. Nuptial Mass was celebrated at St Mary of Jesus church, Valletta. A reception was afterwards held at the Casino Maltese, Valletta. The couple are spending their honeymoon abroad.

Wedding Anniversary

Mr JOSEPH SPITERI and Miss LINA ABELA
The marriage took place on January 30, 1966, in Valletta. Congratulations and thank you both for all you have done for us throughout these wonderful years. Love from William and Karen, Ian and Michelle, Ingrid and Raffaele, Jeremy, Martina, Michaela, Katrina and Erika.

Golden Wedding

Mr JOSEPH ANDREW SALIBA and Miss MARY LOUISE AZZOPARDI
The marriage took place on January 16, 1955, at the Jesuits church, Valletta. With love and congratulations from your children Joseph, Paul, Mark and Kathryn and their families.

Obituary

CARUANA. On January 28, at St Luke's Hospital, Fr CHARLES CARUANA, SJ, aged 66, victim of a traffic accident, went to meet the Risen Lord, comforted by the rites of Holy Mother Church. He leaves to mourn his loss his brethren of the Society of Jesus, his brothers Joseph and his wife Marie, Anthony and his wife Rose, Louis and his wife Mary, his nephews and nieces David and his wife Liz, Christine and Bernard Azzopardi and their children, Therese and her husband Dario Pirotta, and Stephanie, other relatives, numerous former students of St Aloysius College, Birkirkara, and the Gozo Seminary.
The funeral leaves St Luke's Hospital today at 1.30 p.m. for St Theresa Sanctuary, Valley Road, Birkirkara, where Mass praesente cadavere will be said at 2 p.m., followed by interment at Santa Maria Addolorata Cemetery. No flowers by request but donations to the Jesuit Refugee Service will be appreciated. May he rest in the peace of the Lord.

DEGIORGIO. On January 28, at Zammit Clapp Hospital, Sr Giacinta, of the Jesus of Nazareth Congregation, Zejtun, passed peacefully away comforted by the rites of Holy Church. She leaves to mourn her loss the nuns of the Jesus of Nazareth Congregation, her brothers and sisters Joe and his wife Betty, Freddie and his wife Grace, Emanuel, Jane and Vivian, nephews and nieces, other relatives and friends. - R.I.P.
The funeral leaves Zammit Clapp Hosptial today at 3.30 p.m. for the chapel of Jesus of Nazareth Institute, Zejtun, where Mass praesente cadavere will be said at 4 p.m. followed by interment at Zejtun cemetery.

SCERRI. With deep regret we announce the death of Alfred, at the age of 67, at his residence in Sta Lucija, on January 29, comforted by the rites of Holy Church. He leaves to mourn his great loss his beloved wife Rita, his sons Alan and David, his daughter Marika and her husband Jim Mahon, his brother William and his sister Donia and their families, in-laws, other relatives and friends. - R.I.P.
The funeral leaves his residence tomorrow at 2.15 p.m. for St Pius X parish church, Sta Lucija, where Mass praesente cadavere will be said at 2.30 p.m. followed by interment at Lija Cemetery. No flowers by request but donations to the Ursuline Sisters' home in Guardamangia will be appreciated. The family regret they are unable to receive visitors.

Appreciation - Lady Juliet Bingley, MQR

Ms Jane Spiteri, MOM, of Hamrun, writes:

The news of the passing away of Lady Juliet Bingley in England on January 16 will sadden many a Maltese heart of the older generation, as Malta has lost a very good and sincere friend.

For those of us who knew her and worked with her to improve the quality of life of our senior citizens, she was a source of inspiration and a practical example of genuine interest.

Lady Bingley came to Malta in 1959 with her two small children, William and Polly, when her husband, Sir Alec, was appointed Admiral of the Mediterranean Fleet and took up residence at the then Admiralty House in South Street, now the Museum of Fine Arts.

Juliet's main interest was social work since she was a medical social worker by profession. The new family welfare division, which had been set up in 1958 within the Department of Social Welfare, found in her encouragement and support. But her concern was the welfare of the elderly. In fact, within months of her arrival in Malta, she set about procuring the active interest of several professionals and Government officials and managed to constitute the St Anne Welfare Committee for the Old by February 1960. The committee's objective was "to study the position concerning the welfare of old people in Malta (at that time) and to consider what improvements could be made."

In tribute to Lady Bingley, one should mention two major activities carried out under her chairmanship, direction and commitment, which had a lasting effect on the quality of life of our old people. One was the three-day national conference held between January 2 and 5, 1961 at the Convent of the Sacred Heart. It was very well attended by high government officials and representatives of many constituted bodies, and given extensive press coverage. As a result there was an increased awareness of the needs of the growing number of old people living on their own and the need to tackle the problem.

But an even more important undertaking that left practical lasting results was the inquiry and pilot investigation that was carried out over some months after the conference, and a fairly extensive report was published in May 1961. The enquiry and report covered in detail the position and availability of institutional homes: St Vincent de Paul Hospital, which provided for 900 beds, and six Church homes which together provided for about 400 people.

But "its main task was to assess the problem as regards the far larger proportion of old people living in their homes as no results of a scientific social investigation of this particular problem was available. This pilot investigation was intended to ascertain broad indications, which it was thought would be fairly representative of the general pattern."

It gave a number of conclusions and an assessment of future needs together with a number of recommendations, many of which have been implemented over the past decades.

Even after their return to England, Lady Bingley remained a friend of the Maltese and kept her interest in local issues. She visited Malta several times and enjoyed meeting her Maltese friends whenever they visited England and offered them hospitality in their lovely home in the country outside London.

The Maltese government recognised her very valid services to Malta when on December 13, 1976, she was one of the first persons to be awarded the MQR for distinguished service to the Republic of Malta.

Requiem Masses

Today being the trigesima die of the death of LINA CAMILLERI, a Mass for the repose of her soul will be celebrated tomorrow at 6.30 p.m. at Ta' l-Ibrag church.

In Memoriam

AQUILINA. Cherished and unfading memories of FRANS, a devoted father and grandfather. Remembered with love and gratitude on his fourth anniversary. Forever in our thoughts, hearts and prayers. Alex, Martin and families.

BALZAN - MARY. In loving memory of a dear mother and loving nanna gone 15 years ago today but always in our hearts, thoughts and prayers. Mary, Frank, Kenneth and Norbert.

CALLEJA. In loving memory of our dear parents CARMELINA and EDWARD on the 14th and 46th anniversary of their death. Forever in our hearts. Their children May, Jo, Wilfred and grandchildren.

D'ANASTASI - SALVATORE. Treasured memories of a beloved husband, father and grandfather on the first anniversary of his death. Fondly remembered by his wife, son, daughters, in-laws and grandchildren.

FABRI - JOSEPH. On the second anniversary of his death. Forever in our hearts, thoughts and prayers. His wife Mary and his sons Alfred, Robert and Noel and their families.

GALEA - ANTHONY. Treasured memories of a dearly beloved husband and father, today the third anniversary of his demise. Always remembered by his wife Isabel, his brother Vincent, his sisters Marion and Eileen, in-laws and family.

GALEA - ARTHUR. In loving memory of our dear father on the anniversary of his passing away. Always in our thoughts and prayers. Myriam, Tony and Raymond.

GENOVESE - MELITA. In loving memory of a dear mother and grandmother, today the 21st anniversary of her demise. Always in our thoughts and prayers. Her family.

GENOVESE. Cherished memories of MELITA, a dear mother and grandmother, today the anniversary of her demise. Always in our thoughts and prayers. Mima, Joe, Cynthia and Claire.

GLYNN - ALBERT. In memory of a dear father on the 20th anniversary of his demise. Never forgotten by his son Ernest, his wife Dorothy and their families.

HALL - CHRISTOPHER. Treasured memories of a sadly missed and dear husband, father and grandfather, today his second anniversary. Josephine, Alexander, Stephen, Bernadette, Janine, Mary and family.

MARSH. In loving memory of RAMIRO who died on February 3, 20 years ago. His loving wife Concetta Marsh.

SALIBA. Treasured memories of JOSEPH on the 21st anniversary of his demise. Remembered with unfading love and gratitude by his family.

VASSALLO - GEMMA. In ever loving memory of our dearest mother on the 15th anniversary of her death. Lovingly remembered by her children Raymond, Mariella, Joyce, Carmen, Ruth, in-laws and grandchildren.

Pharmacies Open Today

Malta 9 a.m. to noon - Gozo 7.30 to 11 a.m.
Chemimart Ltd, 3, Freedom Square, Valletta;
Blata l-Bajda Pharmacy, 20, St Joseph High Road, Hamrun;
Lantern Pharmacy, Misrah il-Kebbies, Sta Venera;
Mackies Pharmacy, L. Casolani Street, Ta' Paris, Birkirkara;
St Anthony Pharmacy, 56, St Joseph Street, Pietà;
San Gwann Pharmacy, 11, Felic Borg Street, San Gwann;
The Economical Dispensary, 86/87, Sir Adrian Dingli Street, Sliema;
Iklin Pharmacy, Geronimo Abos Street, Iklin;
Rotunda Pharmacy, 7, Eucharistic Congress Road, Mosta;
Karizia Drugstore, 87, George Borg Olivier Street, Mellieha;
Sta Lucia Pharmacy, 1, Dorell Square, St Lucija;
Kalkara Pharmacy, 8, Archbisop Gonzi Square, Kalkara;
St James Pharmacy, Misrah Is-Sliem, Zabbar;
St Catherine Pharmacy, Bishop Emanuel Galea Street, Zejtun;
Bronja Pharmacy, "Sonata', Bronja Street, Zurrieq;
Spizerija Hal-Mula, Dun Salv Ciappara Street, Zebbug;
Bahrija Pharmacy, Triq Raddet ir-Roti c/w, Triq l-Iskola, Bahrija;
Tac-Cawla Pharmacy 'Marga', Dr Anton Tabone Street, Victoria;
St Joseph Pharmacy, 28, St Joseph Square, Qala.