Book Cover page

(picture)
Loving tribute
To
Miss Jean Macdonald (Mrs.Turner)
Our beloved teacher
Lecturer, English Literature, 1956- 1967
Sarah Tucker College, Palayamkottai, India.

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 FOREWORD
Dr. Mrs. Jasmine Mathialagan, MA Bed PGDTE PhD
Principal,
Sarah Tucker College (Autonomous),
Tirunelveli, Tamilnadu, India -627007

Mrs. Jean Turner was a legend walking the cobbled corridors of the college, then at the High
School Campus and later at its present place in Perumalpuram. Love personified, she stole
the hearts of all those who came into contact with her. Her students at once became her
children and she fed them on a diet of tenderness and loving care. She held them by the hand
and took them on walking tours down the generations customizing English life-style and
manners. She infused her teachings with illustrations from her own life-size example that
both the subject and person got superimposed on the minds of the students. That accounts for
the spate of reminiscences that has gone into the making of this book. And that has made her
a class with Miss. Sarah Tucker, the selfless founding genius of the college. Indeed, Mrs.
Jean Turner has joined the long lineage of personae gratae who have been the torch-bearers
of this illustrious institution.

The alumnae of this college who have had the good fortune of being enriched by the edifying
influence of Mrs. Jean Turner have poured out their hearts in these pages. They share their
first-hand experiences of what they saw and felt those days. Let us also take a ride back in
time and space as they pay their grateful homage to their worthy teacher.

Glimpses blur, echoes fade but memories linger……………….

Tirunelveli -7 PRINCIPAL
20th.November 2009

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 PREFACE

Mrs. Annie Aaron, M. Sc, M. Phil

Professor and Head, Dept of Zoology, (Rtd.)
Controller of Examinations
Meenakshi College for Women,
Chennai-600024

It is indeed a privilege and pleasure to present this book of tributes by former colleagues and
students of our beloved teacher, Ms. Jean Macdonald (Mrs. Turner). The initiative for this
was taken by her students, Mrs. Sivapriya Ananadan M.A. M. Phil. and Dr. Jasmine Richard.

Jean Macdonald (Mrs. Turner) came to India to work as an Indian missionary teacher in
Sarah Tucker College under the Principalship of Ms. Dora David during 1956-1967. Her
mother, Dr. Mrs. Stella Macdonald had already served the institution as a missionary doctor.
From the tributes contributed by Jean’s colleagues and students, we come to know about this
exceptionally great daughter of Sarah Tucker College, who is a visionary, philanthropist,
musician, dynamic leader and a brilliant administrator with a strong sense of personal calling,
self confidence and service. Her phenomenal service in the field of education paved the way
for women’s empowerment in Tirunelveli.

From learning Tamil to moving with students freely; wearing a sari to mingle with the
conservative Indian community, Jean Macdonald performed her duties with sincerity and
dedication. This committed teacher induced her first set of students to overcome the fear of
learning English. She kindled the latent talent of shy students and encouraged them to
participate in discussions and deliver welcome speeches to guests. She had been trained by
G M Trevelyan, the famous social historian of England. Her teaching skill of English social
history was much appreciated for its description of the social conditions of English people
down the ages which were graphic and picturesque. By enacting Shakespeare’s plays with
enthusiasm, she inspired her students. Her Herculean task of making students understand
English literature was much appreciated when her erstwhile students became lecturers. Apart
from the curricular subjects she taught table manners, use of cutlery, British punctuality,
sincerity and frankness. Students fondly remember being invited to dinner so that they could
have practical sessions at the table.

She was a member of the Palayamcottai Musical Association. Jean’s prominent role in the
Student Christian Movement and other Christian activities were much appreciated. It is her
encouragement and training that moulded many and inculcated the leadership qualities of
Christian discipline through confirmation classes, Sunday classes and gospel work in
villages. Her love in action has left an indelible mark on her students. She supported the
education of the economically backward students and continued to send money for the
education of slum students to help them get trained in job-oriented courses. Showing her
concern for the aged and the people in tsunami affected parts of Tirunelveli, she would send
funds to help them.

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Her pleasing manners, tall majestic appearance, gentle behaviour, brisk walking and elegance
appealed to the students. She taught her students to be economical and avoid wasteful
spending and practiced what she preached. She inculcated the right values and infused in her
students the vital ideals of Christianity while shouldering her myriad responsibilities with
devotion.

Jean entered into glory on 20th.December 2008, but her legacy survives. This tribute bears
testimony to her life and teaching which inspired young Indian women to be socially aware
while pursuing ideals to be professionally competent thereby moving towards holistic
development. Her memory will linger in our hearts like a fragrant flower.

As the writer says in Proverbs 31:29,

“Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.”

4
 Inroduction
Miss Jean Macdonald worked as a missionary in Sarah Tucker College, Palayamkottai,
Tamilnadu, India holding the post of Lecturer in English Literature from 1956 to1967.
Having lived a dedicated life as a devoted missionary, wonderful teacher, God fearing
Christian and an affectionate friend, passed away peacefully on 20-12-2008 at Merry Wood,
Frinton, UK. Loving tributes are presented here by her dear students and former colleagues
who appreciate her noble, God fearing life.

STC 1959 - Ms. Jean standing - 7th from left in the middle row

Mrs. Jean Turner

“Jean was a very open person with wide interests and an enquiring mind. She was always
keen to learn and always interested in and concerned for those around her. Having
originally trained as a teacher, she was a CMS missionary in India for many years. She
became an Oblate in 1991and faithfully lived out this commitment right up until her death-
saying morning and evening prayer daily with her priest husband John, and always
seeking to live as simply as possible. Jean was part of a contemplative prayer group and
keen member of the Mother’s Union”.

Elizabeth Jane, Oblate sister – Received by Ms. Joyce Peel.

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 Jean Macdonald
An appreciation by Joyce Peel
Lecturer, History - 1948-1959
Sarah Tucker College, Palayamkottai

Jean Macdonald came to work in Sarah Tucker College when the role of the foreign
missionary had totally changed. Under the competent Christian leadership of Miss Dora
David, with her highly qualified staff, many wondered why a new English missionary had
been appointed. Was it just because it meant one less salary to pay?

Jean, with her strong sense of personal call, had to work out what her special contribution
was to be.

Her training at CSV was a good preparation. As a fellow student she learnt how to relate on
equal terms with her fellow students so that they would reciprocate. Her innate humility, self
questioning and assured self confidence were gifts that enabled her to make friends which
included at least one long lasting, deep relationship.

When Jean arrived to work at S.T.C, her way had been prepared by her mother Dr. Stella
Macdonald, who had come for a short time to work as medical practitioner. Jean Macdonald
therefore was seen, not just as a member of staff, but as a daughter.

Jean and I took to one another at our first meeting in England before she came out. It was an
instant attraction devoid of sentimentality or dependence. We could express without reserve,
free to differ and discuss for mutual enlightenment.

After I left for Madras, we met only in Kodaikanal, and after leaving India, we only met at
the annual CSI meeting in London, though I and my father attended her wedding.

We occasionally wrote long letters to share our thoughts and problems. After I came to
Wantage and she joined the Wantage Order of Sisters as an Oblate, we met when she came to
their special retreats. Sometimes she would stay here over night and break silence to share
experiences.

We have been special friends for 60 years and though I will always miss her, I rejoice in her
promotion to Glory.

(picture)
Ms. Joyce Peel, Oxford, 2009
Lecturer, History Department, Sarah Tucker College

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 Sweet reminiscences of dear friend Jean
Dr. Uma Maheswari
Professor, Department of Tamil Literature - 1955 -1982
Sarah Tucker College, Palayamkottai.

I feel immensely happy to write the sweet reminiscences of the days with Jean Macdonald (Mrs. Jean
Turner). She came to Tirunelveli soon after the sudden demise of her younger brother. Her mother Dr.
Macdonald bore the grief boldly and made her daughter Jean, a missionary. She joined the English
Department of Sarah Tucker College, the oldest college in South India. Both Jean and her mother
enjoyed their stay, doing service to God.

She was good in learning other languages. She learnt Tamil and scored good marks in the exams.
When she was preparing for her exams, she approached me to teach her the world renowned
Thirukkural. She studied Thirukkural with enthusiasm and very soon she was able to enjoy the verses.
She paid encomium that I was a good teacher to teach Tamil to foreigners.

Once I had to go to Chennai on an important business meeting with the Registrar of Madras
University. I was unable to travel alone. Jean immediately came to my rescue and travelled with me to
Chennai in an unreserved compartment which was too crowded. There was hardly any room to sit.
But my friend was not bothered at all. Rather she made me sit comfortably, though we had a sleepless
journey. When we reached home, she moved in a friendly manner with my kith and kin and enjoyed
her stay with us.

She did any job with a charming smile and dedication. Yes, she became an important personality. She
always had an everlasting smile and was earnest in doing service to mankind. She is truly a notable
personality.

(picture)
Mrs Jean Turner with Dr. Uma Maheswari and her students and family 1995

(picture)
Ms. John, professor of Tamil Literature, Mrs. Jean Turner and Dr. Uma Maheswari Palayamkottai,
1995

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Personification of joy, earnestness, ability and nobility, thy name is JEAN.
Alas, it is an irrecoverable loss to the Turners and friends. May her soul rest in peace.

Dr. Uma Maheswari,

Principal (retired)
Saikruba, 37-27th Cross Street
Besant Nagar, Chennai 600 090

A Silent Grief and a Poignant Memory

Dr. Sarojini Henry,
Formerly Professor and Head of the Department of Mathematics
Sarah Tucker College

Jean. C. Turner (nee Macdonald) is no longer with us in physical body. It is indeed a time for
her immediate family in England, for the students and faculty of Sarah Tucker College
Palayamkottai, India and all friends of Jean scattered over the globe to give thanks to the
Almighty for the gift of a compassionate and dedicated teacher and friend. Every person is
remembered for what the person is and what the person has done. A real memorial is the
eloquent impression that we leave on others rather than a name formally inscribed on a
plaque.

Jean joined Sarah Tucker College as a teacher of English in the early years of 1950s. By this
time, her mother Dr Macdonald had already established herself in the college as a devoted
friend and doctor. The day Jean arrived, she came to the faculty rooms and befriended all of
us at the first meeting itself. Jean started wearing our Indian dress, sari, almost immediately.
She had visited my home in Madurai and stayed with us for two days and enjoyed my
mother’s wonderful cooking while bravely enduring my father’s endless talks on ever-
flowing themes.

In 1983, when I visited England, I stayed with Jean for a few days at Chester, and greatly
enjoyed the company of Francis, her fourteen year old son, who graciously took me for walks
on the walls of Chester. At the time when I was a visiting scholar at Queens College,
Birmingham, in 1996, Jean and I spent three memorable days at Cambridge, her alma mater.
From 1996, I visited Oxford for summer workshops on Science and Religion and every time I
went, Jean would come to me and we spent the day together; either exchanging news or
revelling nostalgically on our life at Sarah Tucker.

It is indeed sad that we should lose our dear friends with whom we have established a good
rapport. Yet, we need to rejoice in all that we are and all that we will be and in all that we
have been and all that we will become, knowing that this too will pass, and that the miracle of
this exotic life will someday be merged back into God’s presence. As Christians, therefore,
we have the consolation that Jean must have made the fragrance of heaven richer and sweeter
by her presence in the company of saints.

Though nothing can bring back the hour

Of splendour in the grass, of glory in the flower;
We will grieve not, rather find
Strength in what remains behind;

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 In the primal sympathy
Which having been must ever be;
In the soothing thoughts that spring
Out of human suffering;
In the faith that looks through death,
In years that bring the philosophic mind.
(Ode on Intimations of Immortality: Wordsworth)

(picture)
Mrs. Jean Turner and Dr. Sarojini, a friendly meeting at Oxford 2005

Jean Turner, my kind and generous friend

Mrs. Vasantha Kingsley,
Palayamkottai

Jean Turner was known to my parents for many years. She worked in Sarah Tucker College
where my mother also worked and she sang in the Palayamkottai Musical Association which
my father conducted. She got very much involved in the Charity Work in which my parents
were involved, especially funding poor students in their education programs. Jean continued
her contributions for the needy even after my parents passed on.

Jean wrote a letter to me about 10 years back from England asking me if I would help her
fund poor students and women in India with her contributions. Since I was already involved
in helping poor boys and girls, her added contributions helped me to educate more children.

Five very poor children from Samathuvapuram in Ponnagudi are attending the Jeyaraj
Annapackiam Matriculation School and they are being supported by the generosity of Jean
Turner. I use her funds to help many poor students who have difficulty in paying their
admission and exam fees. Her funds have helped girls, who wanted specialization in sewing,
embroidery, fashion designing, crafts etc., thus giving them a profession. Her funds helped
even in our efforts to conduct special tuition in the evenings for slum children in our area.
Her funds helped a young handicapped girl in her schooling. When tsunami hit our
Tirunelveli shores in Michael Nagar and Georgia Nagar we used some of Jean’s funds to
provide help and relief. She also helped many old women who needed her help.

Jean and I have shared very interesting letters for the past ten years about our families, our
Church involvement, our meeting interesting people, our travels to different countries, our
ideas about world politics etc., Our latest in December 2008 was about the American
President Barack Obama with very positive comments by both!! I always look forward to
receiving her letters and she used to mention the same about my letters.

I cannot believe that she is no more. I received a very nice letter from her and a beautiful
Calendar for 2009 in December. I will really miss her and her letters.

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May God Bless her soul. I pray that God will be with Rev. John Turner, Francis and Miho
and shower them with His Blessings. When I think of Jean, I want to say:

“Many women do noble things but you surpass them all. Proverbs 31:29”

(picture)
Presenting essentials gifted by Mrs.Jean to Tsunami hit people in Tamilnadu.

To my English Teacher with Love

J. Sivapriya
st
1 Batch English Literature Student - 1961- 1964
Formerly Asst. Professor of English, Bharathi Women’s College, Chennai

It was the year 1960 when I joined Pre University Class with Advanced English as one of the
subjects in Sarah Tucker College. The teacher who taught me ‘ Thirty nine steps’ was Mrs.
Jean Turner née Macdonald and then began my nine fold relationship (Nava vidha
Sambandham) with her that lasted till she passed away in December 2008. She was my
beloved teacher, guide, father, mother, benefactor, shepherd, brother and sister. She wanted
me to call her Jean acca and always signed Jean acca in her letters.

A year later, I found myself doing B. A. English Literature along with six other girls. I was
totally nonplussed by the number of texts we had to study. We were seven and it was the first
year Sarah Tucker College offered English Literature major. Miss Macdonald taught us
Social History of England with great enthusiasm. Her enthusiasm made me smile but nothing
entered my head. It was Greek and Latin to me. The inspiring teacher that she was, she not
only made me learn the subject but made me develop a great love for it, so much so when I
started teaching, I used to love teaching Social History of England, thanks to Miss
Macdonald.

(picture)
10
Pre -centenary get together, STOGA, Chennai branch at Balar Kalvinilayam, Chennai,
Welcome address by Mrs. Sivapriya; Mrs. Jean Turner with her former colleagues

At the end of the first year, we had no public exams and we glided into the second year
happily. On the reopening day, we were in for a shock because there were just two students,
Jalaja and me in the class, the other five had left the college due to various reasons. The two
of us were literally and metaphorically at sea with History of English Literature and the
foremost thought in our minds was we would never become graduates. Having done my early
education in a village school and having started learning English only from I Form (VI
Standard), my reading was limited. When I looked at the History of English Literature model
question paper my head started reeling. We had to write critical appreciation of three literary
works out of the seven given. When I looked at the titles like ‘Prometheus unbound,’ ‘Sartor
Resartus’, ‘The Waste Land’, ‘Faerie queene’, I could not even identify the genre leave
alone write critical appreciation. Jalaja and I decided that we would request the Principal
Miss David to allow us to switch over to Economics major, having earlier got the nod from
the HOD of Economics. We met Miss David and explained our situation and when she curtly
said, “Go and sit in your class, it is time for the class” we could not control our tears and
sitting on the steps of the Library we were sobbing. Then an angel came in the form of Ms.
Macdonald who sat on the steps with us (It must have been pretty difficult for her to sit on the
low steps) and enquired what the problem was. Amidst sobs, we said how History of
Literature was giving us nightmares and she offered to help us in every way she could.

She wrote out in simple English critical appreciation of all the major works and we learnt
them and wrote weekly tests. She used to carefully correct our mistakes and make us correct
them (a valuable lesson for the present day teachers). In the final exam, we got good marks
because of the Herculean efforts of our dear teacher.

Apart from curricular work, she spent her precious time after the college hours training us in
elocution and dramatics. We staged a few scenes from ‘Julius Caesar’ with Jalaja as
Calpurnia and me as Julius Caesar. Later on, in my college, when people used to compliment
me on my introducing speakers or proposing vote of thanks, I felt ever so grateful to Ms
Macdonald, for her meticulous training.

She even taught us table manners and how to use spoon and fork, by inviting Jalaja and me to
a typical English lunch. Could anyone be more fortunate than us to have had such a stalwart
and humane person as our teacher?

Once when we were talking about city colleges bagging all the prizes, her remark was very
pertinent. “They take in very bright students and make them prudent and make prize winners,
whereas we take in average students and make them win the race”. Lame horses became
winners, base metals were turned into gold by alchemist-like teachers- Miss Diaz, Miss
Macdonald, Miss Paul, Mrs. Sarojini Packiamuthu, Miss Sarojini Packianathan, Mrs.
Kanagaraj (who took remedial class), Miss Vasanathi, Miss Lily, besides our eminent Tamil
teachers.

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When I joined M.A., Miss Macdonald, bought the Peacock volumes of poetry and essays,
Hazlitt’s in London and sent them by Sea parcel to me. Generosity thy name is Ms.
Macdonald.

When Sarah Tucker College celebrated its centenary, she came down from England. Indra
Vasantha, Jasmine, Gandhimathi and I had the privilege of attending it along with her, in
Palayamkottai. Wonderful was the reunion! It was my dream to spend a couple of days with
her in Frinton –on-Sea but that was not to be.

“Death be not proud”. You have not conquered her. She still lives in our heart…

(picture)
Dr. Chitra garlanding Mrs. Jean Turner. Pre -centenary get together, STOGA, Chennai
branch at Balar Kalvi nilayam, Chennai, January 1995.

(picture)
Mrs. Jean Turner addresses the gathering, former Principal Miss Chandra Samuel and Miss
Daisy Paul in the stage. Pre -centenary get together, STOGA, Chennai branch at Balar
Kalvinilayam, Chennai, January 1995.

JEAN MACDONALD /TURNER

“And gladly wolde he lerne and gladly teche.”

And gladly would he learn and gladly teach.
“Prologue,” The Canterbury Tales, Geoffrey Chaucer
Glory Dharmaraj
Student, English Literature - 1961-1965.

Geoffrey Chaucer, a great English poet, described a scholar as someone who embodied the humility
to learn and the capacity to teach. It can be said of Ms Jean Macdonald Turner that she combined the
nuances of learning and teaching well. As a cross-cultural missionary, she had to learn the skills of

12
being in mission in a changing time. As a scholar, she shared her teaching with us, students and
faculty.

I had the privilege of being taught by Ms Jean Macdonald in my undergraduate days in Sarah Tucker
College. In the early 1960s, English literature was introduced in the college as a major for
specialization. While other colleges entered into such ventures with fear and trepidation, Sarah Tucker
College never felt such anxiety.

The reason was Ms Macdonald.

It was mainly because she had a master’s degree in English Literature from Cambridge University,
U. K. She had been trained by no other person than G.M. Trevelyan, a famous British social historian
himself. No wonder the first book we had to study was the English Social History by G.M. Trevelyan!
Jean made arrangement for the books to be shipped from England to Sarah Tucker College, since no
publishing house in India produced books of that nature at that time! The books were resold for a
nominal rate at the bookstore in the college.

An incident still remains with me.

In one of the research papers I had to write for Jean on the social history of England, I referred to the
English people’s view of a particular text as “our people’s” view. I was 17 at that time! Jean wrote in
the margins of that paper, “These people are not your people.” I am grateful for her comment. She
helped her students find their own authentic voices in interacting with texts.

Jean was gracious enough to lend books from her own library, and I have had the privilege of
borrowing books from her for my long summer vacations. She would take her students to her room
and show pictures painted by English painters.

I still remember the hymn Jean taught us, “When morning gilds the skies/my heart awaking cries/May
Jesus Christ be praised!”

Be this, while life is mine, my canticle divine:

May Jesus Christ be praised! Be this th’eternal song

Through all the ages long; May Jesus Christ be praised!

May Jesus Christ be praised for the life and witness of Jean Macdonald /Turner. May her family rest
assured that her witness has not been in vain. She lives in the hearts and minds of her students whom
she loved, mentored, and tutored faithfully.

Glory E. Dharmaraj, Ph.D.

Director, Spiritual Formation & Mission Theology
Administrator of the Seminar Program on National & International Affairs
The Church Centre for the United Nations
Women’s Division, Global Ministries
The United Methodist Church
U.S.A

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 Tribute to a beloved teacher
Mrs. K. Chandra, M.A. B.L.,
Student, English Literature 1963- 1965.
Lawyer, Kovilpatti.

I am very happy to say that I was a student of Mrs. Jean Turner for 4 years (1961-1965),
when I studied in Sarah Tucker College, where she was a lecturer in the English Department.

(picture)
College tour to Kodaikonal, 2nd Batch English Literature Students. (1963-1965) with
Ms. Macdonald and their host Mr. Keithan in the Ashram.

She had a very pleasing personality always bestowing her love on all students invariably. As
far as we English Literature students were concerned, it was quite an experience to be taught
by her. When she taught Shakespeare’s plays she enacted the whole play. She brought before
our mind’s eye Othello, Desdemona, Cleopatra, Antony, Hamlet, Rosalind, Portia and
Ophelia. When she enacted the scene where Othello kills Desdemona she brought out the
innocence of Desdemona by enacting her part Tears actually rolled down our cheeks as if we
were really witnessing the cruel act of Othello and the ‘innocent death’ of Desdemona.

During the time of Annual Day every year when our college wears a festival look, our dear
Ms Jean would put on one of her best frocks ( however she didn’t have many as she was so
simple) applied lipstick to her lips and would look so charming, sitting with the audience with
her knitting.

(picture)
Ms. Jean Mcdonald, garlanded by her students on the final day celebration
of the English Literature class 1965

She took us for a college tour to Kodaikanal. We stayed in the ashram of one Mr. Keithan
(He was a disciple of Gandhiji and led a very simple life). We used to sit around the fire place
after dinner with Mr. Keithan telling us his experiences and taking us in his jeep for
sightseeing. We spent one week there where we were looked after by our lecturer like a
mother.

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On the last day of our final year, we garlanded her and took a snap of her. She was very
happy and proud (of us, of course) and gave a charming pose. I am preserving the photo till
now. She did not take away the garland for a long time.

I am grieved to hear about her demise. I hope her soul rests in peace, such a Good and Godly
Soul!

Mrs. Jean Turner -Senior Friend

Dr. Nirmala Thangaraj
Student English Literature - 1961-1965
Faculty, Department of English - 1967-2004
Sarah Tucker College.

My association started with Mrs. Jean Turner nee Macdonald even before my College days as my
parents knew her well. When I joined the Pre University class she taught me English and also as a
student of English major, she taught many subjects in my B. A. classes. Apart from my relationship
with her as student and teacher I would like to reminisce about her as a Senior Friend (Staff in charge
of Student Christian Movement was called so) and her Christian activities in the College as a
missionary.

As senior friend of S.C. M. she always insisted on developing the leadership qualities of the students
and therefore entrusted the responsibilities with all the office bearers of S.C.M. The student secretary
was expected to write the invitation letter to the speaker for S.C. M. service regularly held on
Wednesdays, from 9. 30 A.M. – 10 A.M. (That practice is still in vogue in the College.) A student
should give the welcome speech and take the responsibility of entertaining the speaker with snacks
and coffee as well. Every week there will be a prayer during lunch break and all the office bearers
were expected to join the prayer and every student was asked to pray for a point. She took the students
to the camps held in Courtallam and encouraged the students to participate in the discussions and
involve in all the activities boldly. I have held offices in local and inter collegiate S.C.M. and have
attended provincial camps in Courtallam, Leadership conference at Madurai and Triennial Conference
at Kandy – Sri Lanka as a student. It’s her encouragement and training that moulded me and
inculcated in me the leadership qualities.

Miss Macdonald took great care and concern in developing Christian discipline in her students. She
took confirmation classes with devotion and real burden for the souls. She was my confirmation class
teacher as well. Every first Sunday there was a Holy Communion service at 6 A.M. and after that she
took a team of students to Thachanallur for gospel work from 8 A.M. to 4 P.M. The students were
advised not to participate in the communion if they did not attend the preparatory service held on the
previous night and also those who did not attend the Holy Communion service were not allowed to go
for gospel work. She accompanied us when we went for gospel work and came with us from house to
house and her approach in presenting the gospel to the non Christians was with love and concern. She
helped many families that she met in this village. Her love in action and her disciplined Christian
practice have left an indelible mark in her students. She also insisted on preparation for Sunday school
teachers. Many students from the College went to different areas in the town to teach Sunday Schools
and those were days when there was no Syllabus for Sunday classes. Therefore, these preparation

15
classes helped us a lot to teach the children the Bible stories. All the Christian activities were taken
care of by her and she did this with great burden and systematically.

(picture)
Ms. Jean MacDonald with Students Christian Movement committee members, in front of the
college chapel, 1964

I also remember her directing the English play for College Day. Her histrionic talents already noticed
by us as students in the class were seen in her directing the plays and how wonderfully she directed
the plays, took care of the dresses for the actors! A native speaker directing English master pieces as
“The Rivals” by Sheridan and myself being an actor in it is unforgettable indeed!

One thing that Miss Macdonald pointed out in me was that I was more interested in extracurricular
activities than in studies. It may be true, but all that I learnt and gained from Miss Macdonald were
helpful when I joined the Staff of STC. She had left the College and I stepped into the College as
Lecturer in English. Her mantle fell on me and I was made in charge of S. C. M., chapel activities and
Staff Advisor for English Drama! Well, I have had a good mentor in Miss Macdonald that kept me in
good stead and until Miss Paterson came as the missionary staff member to our College with
remembrances of Miss Macdonald the senior friend and enriched by her training and counsel I was
discharging these responsibilities with God’s help.

Miss Jean Macdonald’s visit to Sarah Tucker to attend the centenary celebrations speaks of her love
for the College and it was she who gave the message in the Thanksgiving service in the chapel she so
loved and cherished.

It is an interesting coincidence that it was Rev. Turner, Chaplain in St. John’s College who took
confirmation class for my husband (Mr. Thangaraj) when he was a student there and when he became
lecturer in Economics in St. John’s College, he also took the responsibility of being the College
chaplain!

Years have rolled by. Many good practices started by Miss Macdonald are still continuing in the
institution and in the lives of many individuals she had trained so quietly and gently. I remember with
gratitude Miss Macdonald for all good things she has done to me as a teacher, spiritual guide and
senior friend.

Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God; consider the outcome of their life,
and imitate their faith. Heb. 13: 7 (RSV)

16
 Memorabilia
Mrs. Padmaja Anantharaman
Student, English Literature - 1963- 1966
Formerly Professor and Head of the Department of English
MDT Hindu College, Tirunelveli

“How wonderful a thing it is to look back into the past as it actually was to get a glimpse
through the curtain of old night ......” G.M. Trevelyan

I find it exhilarating to peer into the magic mirror of the past about my college days to pay
my humble tribute to my dear departed English Lecturer. The past haunts me like a passion
for it is the golden period of life.

The chosen seeds of Sarah Tucker College alone had the honour of being taught by a don
from England; that university scholar was none other than Miss Macdonald. She was shortly
known as Miss Mackie. She handled the ancillary subject, “The Social History of England” to
the undergraduate students of English Literature. The prescribed book was written by G.M.
Trevelyan. Its copies came by ship from the United Kingdom as arranged by Miss Mackie. It
is a treasure preserved and protected by me. The credit goes to her for making the dry history
of an alien country lively and lovable.

Her classes were interesting and informative. Her descriptions of the social conditions of
English people down the ages were graphic and picturesque. In fact she was considered to be
a role model by most of her students. Her devotion and dedication for teaching really thrilled
me. Punctuality was her hall mark. The sincerity and frankness of Miss Mackie in promoting
the standard of students enhanced my admiration for her. Besides, her tall and majestic
appearance, pleasing manners, gentle behaviour, brisk walking and active habits appealed to
me greatly. Consciously or unconsciously I started imitating them as a proof of my
admiration.

I am deeply grateful to Miss Mackie for giving me a pretty preface about England and
English people. Really the deep impression on me created a wish and instinct to visit her
country. Luckily my dream came true for my daughter had settled down in UK. During my
two visits to England I travelled far and wide in that beautiful country inhaling the cool fresh
air.

I went round the country seeing most of the popular palaces antique buildings, living
monuments and wonderful constructions. While standing on the Westminster bridge
watching river Thames, I was reminded of the famous lines of William Wordsworth’s sonnet.
I too felt earth has not anything to show fairer. Indeed a sight so touching and exciting. This
London Bridge flashed before my mental eye a view of our celebrated Sulochana Mudaliar
Bridge constructed across the perennial river Thamiravaruni for it was replica of it. Without
fail I visited Stratford upon Avon, the birth place of William Shakespeare. Lake District and

17
the gigantic mountains encircling the lake thrilled me. The rocky regions of Scotland made
me feel like being in a remote rural atmosphere. I made several walking tours with green
grass beneath my feet and the blue sky above my head.

The fat cows, the sheep with thick fleece and the pet animals with rich fur reveal the richness
of England. Undoubtedly here is God’s plenty. Fortunately, I had no chance of relishing the
sharp biting of the west wind and freezing chill atmosphere of winter. To be frank, I was
slightly disappointed after listening to the melancholic notes of the nightingale. It has not
sung half so sweet as Keats and Shelly sang about it. The lively statues of eminent men and
women of England really enlightened me.

As often said by Miss Mackie, the secret of the English people’s longevity is that it is a
country with plenty of water and that is free from pollution. Such a country of beauty is a joy
forever.

I have not mentioned a word about Miss Mackie’s mother, Dr. Macdonald. She was a great
lady always seen with a smile. The noble service of Dr. Macdonald and Ms. Jean has to be
appreciated by one and all. Chewing the cuds of memory, I am deeply grateful to my English
teacher Miss Macdonald for learning so many things from her. May her soul rest in peace.

My memories of my beloved Lecturer

Miss Premakumari Thomas

Student English Literature - 1963-‘66
Faculty, Department of English 1969 -2000

When I heard about the demise of Mrs. Jean Turner, I was very much grieved and shocked.
My thoughts went back to the early sixties when I was a student of Miss Jean Macdonald
(then) in my dear college. I began to relive those happy golden days.

We were 13 in the I B.A. English Literature and had the privilege of being taught by a native
speaker. Our pronunciation and accent were being corrected by our Miss Macdonald. The
first impression of her was her beautiful, calm, loving smiling face. She endeared herself to
all of us. She led her students towards Christ and was a friend, philosopher and guide to us.

She taught us “The Social History of England”. Her teaching was excellent. She made life of
English people from the Anglo-Saxon period to the modern age realistic and interesting to us.
Our text was G.M. Trevelyan’s “Social History of England.” We, even now remember every
word in that book. The open Field system, Coffee Houses, The Great Fire of London still
remain fresh in my mind.

Miss Jean Macdonald (Mrs. Turner) took personal care of each student. She was concerned
about the health of her students and we were given sprouted green gram. She was an ideal

18
teacher who combined love, concern, discipline and motherliness to mould her students into
fine persons.

She was particular that her students should be familiar with the life style of the English
people. So every year she took the I B.A. English Literature students to Kodaikanal. It was
our practice and we visited the houses of the English people and she used to explain
everything vividly. For one week we stayed there in Brother Keithan’s Ashram. We used to
go for prayers to the Rock of Vision. The serene, peaceful atmosphere was soul elevating.
From there we could see the valley below. We used to marvel at God’s wonderful creations
and glorify Him.

She was very economical and used to advise us against lavish and wasteful spending. When
my father could not afford the money for my excursion she advanced the amount. She did not
like even a single student losing that unique experience. In the evenings she used to teach us
games in front of the fire place. I particularly remember the action song, “One elephant set –
out one day to dance on a spider’s web....”

We all enjoyed those days very much. I am sure all my juniors and seniors had that
experience. Later on as a tutor in the English Department, I had the privilege of
accompanying Miss Macdonald when she took the then I B.A. class to Kodaikanal.

As a class, all of us loved and adored her. We used to sing the song, “Old Macdonald had a
farm.....” by changing the words as,

“Jean MacDonald had a class yeya yeya yo

In that class she had some girls yeya yeya yo

Here a Toru, there a Padmaja, every where a girl girl girl, yeya yeya yo”

We enjoyed the dinner she hosted us in III B.A. class. We were introduced to the knife and
fork and she taught us how they should be used.

One by one all her noble actions and speeches come to my mind. I met her again when she
came to our college for the centenary celebrations.

A dedicated missionary and devoted teacher and a lovable friend, she played a multifaceted
role. She will remain in the hearts of her students forever. As her work in this vineyard is
over, Christ has called His daughter to be with Him. I convey my heartfelt condolences to
Rev. Turner, his son and daughter in law.

19
 My Tribute to Mrs. Jean (Ms. Macdonald) Turner
Mrs Rajakumari (Abel) Stephen
Student- English Literature - 1965-68

The presence of Miss Jean Macdonald made my stay at STC very comfortable and easy. She
stood out singly among us, the Indians. She stood out tall amidst us not because of
her colour or dress, but because of her culture and manners. She was truly a humble
'Christian missionary' true to its meaning. It was very easy to get along with her because she
was very kind in disposition. She could have lived outside the campus in a very comfortable
home. No. She decided to stay with the other staff in the AVT hostel. She ate Indian food in
a very local Indian dining room with her Indian colleagues.

I learnt Social History of England and English Literature from her. I too would like to add
that she taught with great enthusiasm giving me a desire to visit England. I still remember the
names Chaucer, and Shakespeare. Little did I know then, that a large number of us would
migrate to the west to the United States of America. My employment benefit gave me an
opportunity to visit London about three times. I was thus able to see with my own eyes, the
social history and literature that she taught and learned to admire and appreciate its rich
history and literature as well.

She always took the first year students at the end of the year to Kodaikanal for class trip. Our
class stayed at the ashram for one whole week. We were busy the entire period. We walked
everywhere. I longed to visit the Kodaikanal hills once again. When I did in 2003, it was not
the same Kodaikanal. Everything is so commercialized now. But, I must truly confess that
everywhere we went I remembered Miss Macdonald. As we went boating in the lake, I saw
the church that she took us that Sunday. I even remembered the song the choir consisting of
missionary kids sang that day - 'There is a balm in Gilead'.

I must make mention of her romance and courtship with Rev. John Turner who taught at
St. Johns. I was there to witness it. Our class was so happy to see that happen. Although,
they wanted to be with their own families to get married, they did not want their Indian
friends and their families to miss this joyous occasion. Therefore, they had a grand
engagement party in Palayamkottai in the Indian tradition. They were soon on their way to
England. They travelled by ship, the normal mode of travel then. They thus had an
opportunity to keep in touch with the family they just left behind. I remember the postcard
she sent from the ship to the entire college.

I wish I had kept in touch with my English teachers: Ms. Paul, Mrs. Ambrose and Mrs.
Packiamuthu.

We have truly lost a remarkable Christian lady. May the Almighty God, the true Balm in
Gilead comfort the family.

20
 Tribute to a loving teacher
Kanthi Shenbagaraman
Student, Economics- 1962- to 66

Miss. Jean Macdonald, our beloved teacher, is an unforgettable person. Looking

back at our happy student days in STC, there are so many instances that come
readily to my mind. I am pleased to share a few of them deeply etched in my
mind. I was very fortunate because I was a hostelite.

Once when I was walking to class from the hostel after lunch, I plucked
teak leaf sprouts to rub them against my palm to make my palms red
with the teak juice. I heard a sharp, crisp, ringing reproach from behind. It
was Miss Macdonald! she pulled me up for hurting a tree, “it also lives and
feels”, she told me.. and made me aware. To this day, I have not forgotten the
incident, in fact I treat all trees and plants with love.

Miss Macdonald was very much at home in Tamilnadu. Once, Sivapriya and I
were accompanied by Miss Macdonald to a competition. When we moved on
to the next level, she could not come with us. So, she wrote to us
instructions and directions as to how to proceed to the next venue by
bus, telling us even about the “penn place" at bus stops!

Full of life, abreast with times, steeped in values she enriched all of us, who were
around her. We found joy and cheer when she was around.

A very warm sincere affectionate teacher and friend, unassuming and

pragmatic she was..She could make us see. Both her mother Dr Mrs Macdonald
and she were angelic and lovable. They were an asset to all whose lives they
touched. We were fortunate to have been associated with them.

I was fortunate to meet her when she came to Palayamkottai for the centenary
celebrations. Also, she visited my house with Sivapriya, Jasmine and others
during her stay in Chennai. I was happy to be in her circle, particularly during her
visit to India after a long time.

A noble soul, loving human being, she lives in the hearts of her beloved students

Kanthi Shenbagaraman (Natrajan-kailasammal)

Student – Economics
Formerly Asst. Professor, English Literature,
Ethiraj College, Chennai

21
 Tribute to Ms.Jean (Macdonald) Turner,

Mrs. Energy (Daniel) James

Student, Botany – 1963 - 1965

Ms. Jean, we fondly called her in early 60s. The name Jean always reminds me of our gentle Ms.
Jean, who taught us English (with European accent!). Also she was our Bible lecturer who taught us
about the Minor Prophets, which still reminds me of her every time I turn to the chapters in Minor
Prophets.

Even before Ms. Jean came to STC, her mother Dr. Maconald was well known and popular in STC
High School campus, in her attractive small Bungalow, with the same British style landscape, etc.
She was a medical missionary and she genuinely took care of the student’s health and instituted
good/healthy eating habits. She was the one who advocated the sprouted green-grams everyday for
the college. I still follow her principle occasionally. I pen this because the dedicated Missionary,
mother of Ms. Jean, Dr. Macdonald, influenced her beloved daughter, Ms. Jean to be somebody so
great in that part of the world Palayamkottai/Perumalpuram.

(picture)
Dr Stella Macdonald at Sarah Tucker High School clinic

In the same manner, Ms. Jean Macdonald, was admired by all the students of Indian origin in our late
teen years. She was the only European staff at that time and we were very fortunate to take classes
taught by her. In the beginning, we were afraid even to talk to her or even to approach her. But her
kindness and gentleness brought us very close to her and we even tried to imitate her beautiful
rhyming British accent when she was not around. Of course, it was to our advantage that we learnt to
speak proper English. After these 45+ years of her acquaintance, still here, in USA, when we talk to
Americans, they always politely ask me ‘were you studying with British people?” I am so proud that
this is nothing but Ms. Jean’s influence which had so much impact on us.

22
(picture)
Dr Stella Macdonald teaching First aid to Sarah Tucker Teacher Training Students.

Coming to the role as Bible lecturer, specifically Minor Prophets, she has influenced me to the
maximum. Until this day, every time I turn my Bible to the chapters of Minor Prophets, I am
reminded of her. In mid-60s reading English Bible was something very new because we were always
exposed to Tamil Bible. It was hard to pronounce the names ‘Obadiah, Habakkuk, Zephaniah,
Haggai and Zachariah’. Even now, I try to pronounce them the same way she taught us. She paid so
much importance to ‘prophecy’ in the Bible and she very eloquently taught us that we will never
forget that for the rest of our lives. There were lot of different Christian denomination students and
she captured us all under one roof as a good admirable Bible lecturer. I am really thankful and grateful
for the impact she had in my life.

I want to bring up here another good missionary work that she did and I was her follower and
thoroughly enjoyed and she was an inspiration. Every Sunday evening, we used to visit Blind School
in Palayamkottai. She was in charge of taking the group there. Those days, we had to walk from one
end of Perumalpuram to Palayamkottai through the acacia (thorny bush) bushes with just open
slippers on our feet, crossing pigs, and even a little graveyard, I think. With Ms. Jean on our side, we
held each other’s arms and walked through with enthusiasm and delight. We used to help the blind
students write letters to their parents, and families. We provided personal help and read stories for
them and would be back to the hostel by sunset. She used to take groups of girls to other
downtrodden places but somehow I missed going to those places and I still miss it and I wish I had
gone with her.

I graduated with Botany major from STC and I didn’t get a chance to meet her after that. During my
days there, she was Ms. Jean Macdonald and I did not know the time when she turned into Mrs.
Turner. I am sure Mr. Turner is a very blessed man to lead a blessed life with Ms. Jean, his beloved
wife for 40+ years.

Though she is not with us to inspire, the inspiration we got from her from STC is the good legacy that
she has left for us all.

Ms. Jean Macdonald (Mrs. Turner) – a kind, gentle, extra ordinary and an elite person who made us
grow upward, inward and outward to reach others.

23
Mrs. Energy James
12704 Ruxton Road
Silver Spring, MD 20904
301-236-5436
Energyj2005@yahoo.com

The genius we found in Mrs. Jean Turner

Mrs. Indra Vasantha Sundari

Student, B.Sc. Zoology - 1961- 1963
Science Teacher, Corporation High School, Chennai

From England they came! Two great ladies Dr. Mrs. Stella Macdonald and Miss Jean
Macdonald, Dr. Mrs. Macdonald was the missionary doctor of our college and Miss
Macdonald our English Lecturer.

Miss Jean Macdonald taught us ‘Macbeth’ in English Literature. Her classes were of
extraordinary standard and her teaching capacity was par excellence. She used to enact the
character of Macbeth that made the story realistic. As we started liking her classes, we were
always looking forward to the next class eagerly. We developed the same involvement when
she taught us ‘Revelations’ in the scripture class. She was thorough with each chapter of the
book of Revelation. She made even a tough subject like ‘Revelation’, so easy as well as
interesting.

The college chapel and the auditorium were built then. She used to take the English class in
the newly built auditorium and the scripture classes in the lovely new chapel. This added to
the beauty of the classes and increased our interest. She stayed in the AV Thomas hostel. The
hostel students had more chance to mingle with her. Yet she showed the same affinity for day
scholars also.

Dr. Macdonald and Miss Jean Macdonald jointly invited final year students to dine with them
and enjoy a European lunch. They taught us table manners and usage of cutlery. How
thoughtful of them to introduce their way of life. The next day the topic of the class room will

24
be about this wonderful experience of the British lunch and the next group will get ready for
their chance.

I have often seen and admired Miss Jean Macdonald talking with the ordinary people like the
building workers, cleaners and other people. She used to talk with them in her own beautiful
Tamil. She managed well and conversed with them. She was so concerned about the
economically backward people.

I have often wondered the way Miss Macdonald and her mother managed the hot weather of
India, that too in a hot place like Tirunelveli. The distance between the hostel and the college
seemed a long way in the hot sun for many hostel girls. But we have never seen Miss
Macdonald or Dr. Macdonald complaining. They were tanned and looked native.

The ‘At Home meetings’ were very famous among the hostel students. Each wing in the
hostel had a teaching staff in charge of the students. Dear Miss Jean made her students
always feel ‘at home’, though she herself was away from her home! Was Tinneveli her
home? Yes, we felt that she was one among us.

(picture)
Mrs. Jean Turner with Indra Vasantha, students and their family at Woodlands Hotel,
Chennai 1995

(picture)
Mrs. Jean Turner at Egmore Wesley Church, Chennai, chatting with friends after the service
1995

As a student of zoology, I never had a chance to travel with her during my years in STC. But,
in 1995, when the college celebrated its centenary, I had the rare opportunity of travelling
with her from Chennai to Palayamkottai with Prof. Miss Chellaiah, Sivapriya, Kanthimathi
and Jasmine. She was very happy to travel with us. She was enjoying every moment of the

25
travel in the 2nd class compartment. She was talking to every one of us. On our request she
mono-acted a few of Shakespeare’s characters for us and brought back the happy memories
of our college days. On entering the college she had a warm welcome and soon she became a
part of the college. We all enjoyed the programmes of the centenary celebrations. Back in
Chennai, Sivapriya arranged a day out with Mrs Jean in Woodlands Hotel and visiting
churches and friend’s houses. It was a wonderful experience taking her around.

When I heard about her passing away, all these past memories of the times spent with our
teacher flashed in my mind. Though deep grief struck my heart, I thanked God for bringing
such a sincere person to Sarah Tucker College. Her simplicity, sincerity and impartial love
always remain in our mind. I am filled with awe and respect when remembering these special
characters of our beloved teacher. We pay tribute to whatever she had installed in our hearts
as a good teacher and a missionary. We thank God for her contented and noble life.

(2pictures)
STC Chapel - still under construction, after completion
Scripture classes were conducted in the chapel

Loving tribute to Miss Jean Macdonald

Mrs. Ramani Amirthanayagam

Student B.Sc. Mathematics - 1961-63.
Teacher Mathematics, Corporation High School, Purasawalkam, Chennai.

I joined Sarah Tucker College as a pre-university student in 1960. Later, from 1961-1963 I did my
B.Sc. in Mathematics as a day student. Though I did not have the opportunity to attend an English
language class taught by Miss Jean, I had the opportunity to attend the chapel services conducted by
her.
In those days, education aimed not only to train students to score higher grades but also to make them
good citizens. This was true about the way we were taught in STC. Miss Jean used to invite the final
year students in groups of three to her room for an English style lunch.

It was an experience for all the three of us who enjoyed the lunch in her room. Table manners were
taught in a friendly atmosphere. We enjoyed the taste of the British lunch in Tirunelveli!

Her smiling face is still in my memory as though it was yesterday that we had the lunch with her. She
made us feel at home. When I took a teaching job, I always remembered the simplicity of our dear
teachers. The news of the demise of Mrs. Jean Turner, brought back the memories of all the cares she
took to make us happy. I thanked God for providing such a good teacher to us.
May her soul rest in peace.

26
 (picture)
STC Badminton Team 1962, Ms Ramani first from left.

Fond reminiscences

Mrs. Beulah Ambrose (Charles) M.A, M.Ed

Student Mathematics - 1956 - 1959

I vividly remember the day Ms Jean Macdonald arrived on our Sarah Tucker College Campus. She
seemed like a fresh budding rose whose loving smile enveloped all of us and drew us into its warmth.
As youngsters, her youth and incomparable charm appealed to us, and she became a model to
emulate.

As the Hostel Secretary (known as Private Secretary in those days) I had the opportunity to
move quite closely with her. She would with her ready smile and gentle demeanour guide me
as I made arrangements to hold prayers, make announcements and organize programmes.
This was invaluable training for me to later on organize events as a teacher.

Another memorable event was the Christmas play titled “Isaiah” conducted by Ms. Peel in which I
played the part of Isaiah. A number of staff members were part of the cast and Ms. Jean was one of
the three kings. Later on the indelible impressions and experiences I picked up from these events
helped me organize such plays for my students. I remember with gratitude the platform provided by
these dedicated missionaries in nurturing youngsters with limited opportunities. They bolstered our
courage and prepared us to face the challenges of the future.

Ms. Dora David our Principal, held Ms. Peel, Dr. Macdonald and Ms. Jean Macdonald as role models
who had sacrificially dedicated their lives to enhance ours. This made us aware of the supreme
sacrifices these missionaries had made, to help the students who passed the portals of STC to forge
ahead with a holistic development. Attention was paid even to small details – we were invited two
people at a time to dinner, where British table manners, use of cutlery and dining habits were taught.

Ms. Jean Macdonald took us to Thatchanallur, a small village in Tirunelveli to do gospel work. In the
evenings she would show a gospel movie to the villagers. At times the projector would fail and then
she would encourage one of us to share the gospel. She would unhesitatingly stay with us overnight in
the uncomfortable elementary school and shared all the discomforts with us. Her lively pragmatic
manner and encouraging words laid the foundation in many of us to have a social commitment and
missionary zeal.

27
Ms. Beulah at Thatchanallur Ms. Beulah seated right hand corner,
Photo taken by Ms. Jean STC volley ball team

As I reminisce on those fabulous, exhilarating moments spent in the company of Ms. Jean Macdonald
I thank God for her vibrant mission, which has left indelible marks on us.

Beulah Ambrose (Charles) M.A, M. Ed

P.G Assistant (Rtd.)
Christ King Girls Higher Secondary School
E.Tambaram, Chennai –59

Mrs. Jean Turner

Mrs. Saroja Sundersingh

Student, B. Sc. Mathematics - 1956 - 1960

The year was 1955. At the age of 15, on the 19th of November I had been confirmed in the
tiny chapel in Sarah Tucker compound and was coming out clad in White sari and blouse
when I first set eyes on Miss Jean MacDonald. She had just then come to India and was all
admiration for my humble sari and blouse. She must have been 26 at that time and probably
fresh from college and that day our friendship started. She became a close friend of my
parents Mr. D. A. Thangasamy and Mrs. Suganthy Thangasamy who were ever keen and
even went out of their way to help young missionaries even after they left India and went
back to England. So I had plenty of opportunities to come in contact with her even in our own
house. Later, when I went to college to do my pre-university course and graduate course, she
taught me English. It was in those days, that I came to know her personally.

The Student Christian Movement was very active then before the E.U. (Evangelical union)
took over. We were very much involved in it. In those days SCM used to conduct triennial

28
conferences every three years in Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka. It was held in India, in
Guntur, Andhra Pradesh while I was in college. Jean was there and so was my father. She
was very much involved in the spiritual welfare of the students. I can also very well say that
SCM played a very great part in my spiritual growth. Then there were the annual Coutrallam
camps. She attended them all and in the Sarah Tucker College she used to lead the SCM.
meetings. I remember the many committee meetings she held in her tiny hostel room serving
us pea-nuts to plan the strategies to deal with the freshers all the more.

Rev. Turner was working in St. John’s College. After working there for many years he
suddenly proposed to Jean. She was immersed in missionary work. She said it was a difficult
decision to make but Rev. Turner won and took her off to England after a hilarious
engagement ceremony in Palayamkottai in which the late Rt. Rev. Jebaraj acted as her
chaperon. It was a memorable occasion for the huge crowd invited. She was blessed with her
only son Francis. He got married to Miho. Jean was very fond of her daughter- in- law.

(picture)
Mrs. Jean Turner being honoured by Mrs. Saroja Sundersingh, the correspondent of
Victoria Girls High School and Mrs. Creda Isaac, the head mistress 1995.

Mrs. Jean Turner (I started calling her Jean akka after that) was very simple while in India.
She became simpler after going back to England and occupying their palatial mansion. When
my mother passed away I had to write and inform her and started corresponding with her. She
used to write and enquire about all her friends in India not forgetting the dhobi and others
who worked for her and those who got help from her. She had inherited a fortune from her
mother Dr. Macdonald. She would spend it all for the needy in India but for herself she was
stringent in her needs.

She came to Palayamkottai 14 years ago for the 100th anniversary of Sarah Tucker College in
January 1995. I could meet her then and take her to SPIC Nagar, Tuticorin, where we were at
that time. On the way we went straight to her friend Miss Whitin’s house.

While staying in our house Mrs Jean showed keen interest in all my activities at SPIC Nagar.
She took time to watch the video of my son’s wedding held in December 1994 and made
positive comments on that. She visited my brother’s house to enquire about my mother
Suganthy Thangasamy’s demise on 15.11.1994.

29
. (picture)
Mrs Jean and Dr. Rev. Turner in France, March 2008

(picture)
Mrs Jean and Dr. Rev. Turner in France, March 2008

Rev. Turner used to take her to distant lands every year. She used to write to me about the
onion towers of Russia, the glamour of France and her stay with Francis and Miho there. Like
a child she used enjoy her travels and cherish the memory.

Once she sent me a sewing needle cushion made by her with flannels of different colours. I
still cherish it and use it.

She had great interest in music. She could play the piano and organ equally well. She was a
member of the Palayamkottai Musical Association, for good many years.

Her simplicity, generosity, love and God fearing life are to be followed. Of late she was not
keen to write long letters but on the 12 th of December 2008 she wrote a long letter to me. She
wrote not only to me but to most of her friends in India. Her memory will linger in my heart
like a fragrant flower after the initial grief at her unexpected end passes away

My Memories of Mrs. Jean Turner (nee Jean Macdonald)

Mrs. Suganthy Jeyakumar
Student – Mathematics - 1956-1960

30
I had the privilege of being a student of Miss. Jean Macdonald during the year 1957, who came as a
missionary teacher from England. She taught me English and Scripture. She was a person who was
committed to her teaching profession and came to the class with serious preparation and kept the class
in rapt attention. She must have found it extremely difficult teaching a group of students who studied
in Tamil medium Schools (as there was no English medium in South at that time) and that too those
who studied in the villages and small towns in down south of Tamilnadu.

Miss. Jean McDonald adapted herself well with the Indian culture and food and lived a simple life in
one of the rooms attached to a hostel.

(picture)
Bishop A.G. Jebaraj and Mrs Jebakani Jebaraj hosting the engagement ceremony of Rev. Turner, St.
John’s College and Ms. Jean Macdonald, Sarah Tucker College, 1967.

Miss Joyce Peel and Jean Macdonald took the trouble of teaching the final year students about the
British culture .They used to invite two students for dinner and taught them how to set the table for a
formal dinner with forks, spoons and knives and explained to them the table manners and English
etiquette on such occasions. Unfortunately I did not get the opportunity of being a guest to enjoy a
good English dinner, as the academic year came to a close much before my turn.

Jean Macdonald was kind enough to send me a wedding gift of a table cloth which adorns our table,
constantly reminding me of the happy memories of my brief but memorable association with her.

(picture)
Engaged bride Ms. Jean Macdonald clad in Banaras Sari and the groom Rev. Turner greet Ms. Dora
David, Principal, Sarah Tucker College.

As I got married and left Palayamkottai in 1965, I missed her engagement to Rev. Turner in 1967
which was hosted by my parents Bishop A.G. Jebaraj and Mrs Jebakani Jebaraj. The brief narrative

31
given in the words of Jean Macdonald and Rev. Turner would give an authentic account of their life in
Palayamkottai before their marriage; and how well they understood the Indian culture and their values
in life as missionaries
“My final memory of the great kindness of both Bishop Jebaraj and his wife in acting as hosts at the
engagement party for myself and Rev. John Turner in February 1967.-but I will leave him to
tell.”(Jean Macdonald)

“On 2nd January 1967, I went to Bishop’s home to inform the Bishop of our engagement. The news
was a great shock to him; confronting him with a situation which he had never previously met - two
missionaries in the Diocese engaged to be married! He was afraid of our behaving in public as a
couple in Britain might do, and thereby scandalizing Indians, particularly Indian Christians. Mrs.
Jebaraj however succeeded before long in calming his fears and we in any case were well aware that
we must behave discreetly. The Bishop graciously presided at the function (Engagement) and said in
his speech that he was acting as a father to Jean and me since both of our fathers were dead, while our
mothers were far away in England” (Rev. John Turner)

Ms. Jean Macdonald and Rev. Turner greet Mr. Vedasironmani, Principal, St. John’s College

(picture)
I hope this small contribution will give a glimpse of their life and role model to the students in the
country to which they came to serve the Lord.

May her soul rest in peace.

Loving memories of a Teacher, Friend and a sister

Mrs. Jean Turner
Jasmine Richard
Student, Zoology 1962-65
Formerly Reader in Zoology Bharathi Women’s College, Chennai.
Scientific Associate, Natural History Museum, London.

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It all looks like yesterday. In 1961, I completed my school final at Sarah Tucker High School
and joined PUC science group in STC. One day, Mrs. Vieth, who was the director of the
Bible club in ST High School, visited me in the A.V. Thomas Hostel. The ST High School
Bible quiz team trained by her won all the shields in the high school level bible quiz
competitions for three consecutive years, specially the All India Bible quiz competition at the
International Youth for Christ Congress at Madras. I was in the winning team for all the three
years and was one of her favourite students. She took me to her friend’s room in the hostel.
Ms. Jean, her friend invited us in to her room. Mrs. Vieth introduced us to each other. Neither
of us knew that the introduction was for a friendship that has to last for another five decades.

I admired Ms. Jean as a great teacher-“our English Lecturer” at STC. Her teaching skill and
her sincerity towards the task made even the back benchers to be interested in English
language and literature. While we were a set of fortunate students taught by a native speaker,
I always wondered how she felt teaching English to us, especially the master pieces like,
“The village cricket match”. She tried her best to describe the humorous presentation of the
cricket match in the Kentish village of Fordenden by the Scottish author to the girls of a
remote town in Southern India. She wanted us to enjoy the satirical writing and Englishness
of cricket as Donald Cameron, the hero enjoyed playing with his team of journalist friends
against the sleepy village team. With her skillful description, we could imagine the
interesting characters like Mr. Hodge, the vicar and others. She used to take us to the English
church on Sunday evenings. On our way to the church was a ground, where the boy’s college
students used to play cricket. She would earnestly describe the game. Though people around
gave a surprised look at the scene of an English lady standing near the cricket ground and
teaching a group of girls the game of the gentlemen, we enjoyed her teaching and got to
understand the satire of the Scottish author.

When I first came to England, she took me to the Tower of London. Soon, she was immersed
in her thoughts of her English literature classes on ‘History of England”, she started talking
about Sivapriya and Jalaja, her first set of English literature students. I could realize that she
would have been happy if she had a chance to bring them to the Tower of London for her
lectures. I had to remind her that even her two students were retired by then and she at once
came to reality and we had a good laugh. Writing about her fascination for teaching, love for
STC and her students would take a book by itself.

Staying in a hostel in our days was like the “Gurukulam” of ancient days. The young
unmarried teachers who stayed with us in the hostel were our gurus not only in the classes but
all the time of our stay in the hostel. We had “at home meetings” and “moon light dinners”.
On full moon days, we had our dinner in the open terrace of the college building. The
Principal and staff used to join us. Ms Jean used to teach us many songs in the moon light
dinners. One of those songs was about the British Rail. “In cases of Emergency, pull down
the chain, penalty for improper use five pounds...”- We used to sing this song in groups with
action, as though we spent pounds in India. She took me once to the Transport Museum in
London, where an old Train compartment had the words, “penalty for improper use five
pounds”. Our memory of the moon light dinners and singing the songs in groups suddenly
came up and we both recollected the memory of those happy days.

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Hostel day celebration was one of the notable festivals for the hostel students and staff alike.
Both students and staff staged plays. We were looking forward every year for the drama that
the hostel staff staged. When I was in the second year B.Sc. the topic of the staff drama was,
travel by train in 3rd class compartment. The arrival of staff with different make-up in to the
third class compartment settings in the stage made the students laugh and clap; I remember
Ms. David dressed like a village man and sitting comfortably, yawning loudly and falling
asleep, Ms Uma and Ms Chellaiah dressed like a dhobi couple with their big bundle of
clothes, Ms John and Ms Henry as flower ladies occupying the seat with their flower baskets
and talking in a loud local accent. Finally, when Ms Jean entered the stage carrying a basket
of food, as a typical Ayyangar man with her kudumi, dhoti folded up to the knee and
shouting at the top of her voice “idly, vadai, thayir satham”, the audience was thrilled;
applause and laughter continued for a long time. When she came to India for the Centenary

(picture)
Friendly chat- Ms. Chellaiah, Professor of Zoology and Mrs. Turner at Jasmine’s house 1995

Celebration of the college, during our train travel to Palayamkottai, she enacted it again for
us. Ms Chelliah and all of us who travelled with her just enjoyed her acting. She loved to buy
the simple food sold in the railway stations specially the idly packed in banana leaf.

She was in charge of several social service activities and took us to the blind school in the
weekends. We used to write letters, read stories and sing songs with the inmates of the
school. But the ordeal of walking through the acacia bushes in the Palmyra groves of
Perumalpuram was a remarkable experience for me. Wearing simple slippers, she used to
walk without any fear of snakes like a typical native lady. But, I would be all the time
thinking of Ms. Chellaiah, who often conducted an ‘on the spot practical class’ whenever a
watchman killed/caught a snake, demanding us to identify if that half dead snake was a non
poisonous Natrix natrix or cobra Naja naja. Seeing the courage of Ms Jean, I tried to hide my
fear of the snakes and walked with her to the blind school. We really enjoyed helping the
students to read and write.

I had the opportunity to travel with her to SCM camps, meetings and to accompany her to
Thachnallur assisting her teaching gospel to non-Christians. I admired her preaching the
gospel with real love to non-Christians. On some occasions, I interpreted her preaching to the
village people. My association with her in this respect helped me to build my faith in God.
My life as an adolescent was a search for truth about God. I was just then introduced to
Christianity. Having been brought up by a loving Hindu joint family of parents,
grandparents, aunts and uncles, religion for me was happiness of celebrating festivals month

34
after month; when suddenly drawn to Christian religion, Christian school and college, the
seriousness of religion was a difficult experience for me. While several people around me
tried to teach different types of Christianity, Ms. Jean never preached me Christianity; rather I
keenly observed her living the principles of Christ. She was loving, kind, simple, prayerful
and most of all respected human beings irrespective of their status and faith. My love for
Christ and His teachings developed seeing her love and concern for ordinary people and her
respect for human life.

Back in 1963, when I joined first year BA, she asked if I liked the subject of my choice and I
told her that I would have chosen Zoology, if my parents could support me paying the fees
for the science group. The next day, she arranged to place me in B.Sc. Zoology and paid the
fees for my studies in STC. I knew she was helping many students at that time with her very
small earnings. This was possible because of her very simple life style. Until her passing
away she was helping poor students in Tirunelveli through her friends. Now Rev. Turner has
decided to continue her help to poor but eligible students.

When she visited India in 1995 for the college centenary, her stay in the YWCA international
guest house was arranged. But the next day she vacated the room and came to my house to
stay with us. We were so happy to have her in our humble abode, yet we were wondering at
her simplicity. I was so surprised to see her students and friends showering love upon her
even after so many years.

When our only daughter Rani settled in the UK as a doctor, Rani was blessed with an aunty
and uncle in a foreign land. When our grandson Christopher was born, Mrs. Jean was the real
grandma to him. He just loved her. After my retirement, when I began to live in the UK and
India, though our relationship as teacher and student remained the same, we became good
friends.

She introduced me to her friends in the UK as, “my student as well as my friend”. I called her
acca and she was more than an elder sister to me. We visited each other several times.

(2pictures)
Mrs. Turner with Jasmine at Chelmsford celebrating the 79th birthday, few days earlier with
Dr. Rani and Jasmine

(2pictures)
35
Mrs. Turner at Merrywood with Jasmine, Dr.Rani Mrs. and Dr. Rev Turner at Merry wood with Jasmine and
and Mr. Charles Samuel daughter Dr. Rani

‘Merrywood’, the sea side house of the Turners in Frinton, for me, was a sister’s house. My
briyani, mangoes and appalams became a part of their menu every now and then. We relished
Rev. Turner’s home grown beehive honey and Jean acca’s pickles and pies. We enjoyed each
other’s presence in the UK. I brought India to her. She made me feel at home in the UK. We
met in London several times at several places and celebrated our friendship. I admired her
French, particularly her pronunciation of that sweet but difficult language. Talking to me,
she was reminded of her Tamil. Sometimes, when I stayed with her a few days, she was cross
with me for giving her the ‘Indian accent’! She used to pray and send prayer requests for
several of her friends and church members, but her prayer requests were for others and never
for her. She tried to instill in me many good habits though she miserably failed to make me
go for walks. She walked fast long distances along the seaside and the parks, and always
remained healthy. We walked together around Frinton and Croydon during our visits to each
other. During our walks, understanding my love for gardening, she introduced the seasonal
flowers like Snowdrops, Pansy, Petunia, Daisy, Hyacinths and others. The English gardens
and flowers became a fascination for me. My little garden has lovely flowering plants that she
presented to me. Cooking home grown vegetables was a part of her healthy life style. She
promised to bring the winter Jasmines from Dr Tuner’s garden, when she was about to visit
me for Christmas 2008 and left me to wait for it.

Every year, Mrs. and Rev. Turner invited international students from other cultures to
celebrate Christmas with them. The students spent a few days during Christmas with Turners
and understood the typical British culture. She was very busy during Christmas visiting her
friends, sending cards and calendars to all her friends and decorating the house in typical
British style for her visitors to understand and enjoy the typical English life style.

Every time I returned from India, she would come home, sit with me and enquire about her
friends, especially about Ms. Chellaiah and Ms Rhoda Banian her long time friend who is
living in Purasawalkam. I used to see her face brightening up with joy when I told about her
friends and students. I realized gifts were of no importance to her. So, I used to bring simple
cotton towels for her from India. She liked Indian cotton towels reminding her of Thenkasi
and Coutralam. She loved India. In my opinion, she was a typical Tirunelveli lady
particularly considering her skill to tie a sari even after so many years.

(picture)
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Dr. Rev. Turner and Mrs. Jean Turner with Jasmine, at Jasmine’s house, Croydon, UK.

(picture)
Mrs. Jean reading the lesson, Prayer meeting, at Jasmine’s house, Croydon, UK.

Looking back, my time spent with her in UK was all happy moments. She liked the Tamil
songs. During her visits to my place, she enjoyed singing “Yellam yesuvae yenekellam
Yesuvae” and “Devapitha yen meypan alloo” along with us.

She was happy and proud like a mother about any little achievement I made in my career. I
continued my research in the Natural History Museum, London. Often in our conversations,
she referred to the prestigious institution, the Natural History Museum as, “Jasmine, your
museum,” I considered this as the greatest award I could have received for my career as a
Zoologist.

Of all the moments I spent with her and the family, I thank God for giving me the opportunity
to be present in the 40th wedding anniversary celebration of Rev. Turner and Jean acca in
Frinton. I stood in front of the guests with the garlands and introduced myself as Mrs.
Turner’s student who has come with bundles of love from STC to congratulate the couple.
Like any loving couple in India, I wanted them to garland each other. It was a very beautiful
moment when they both garlanded each other. Every one clapped expressing their joy. I
cherish that joyful moment when she was smiling happily standing by the side of Rev. Turner
along with her dear son Francis and loving daughter in law Miho.

(picture)

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(picture)
Son Francis and daughter in law Miho with Mrs. and Dr. Rev. Turner- 40th wedding
anniversary celebration of Mrs. Jean and Dr. Rev. Turner, at Clacton 2007

(picture)
Mrs. and Dr. Rev. Turner cutting the cake on the 40th Wedding anniversary celebration, 2007

Her simple, god fearing, loving life, her service to humanity and her peaceful passing away to
His arms bring to my thoughts the motto of STC

“So run that ye may obtain the incorruptible crown”.

Jean Constance Lucy Turner- My mother.

Francis Turner

28 January 1929 - 20 December 2008

My mother Jean was a teacher, missionary, devout Christian and loving wife and mother. Jean was
born in January 1929 at Stroud, Gloucestershire, the daughter and first child of Lieutenant A J
Macdonald (Royal Engineers) and Dr S C C Macdonald. Her father was a regular army officer who
eventually reached the rank of Major. Although her mother qualified as a GP she gave up practice on
marriage. Jean spent her first three or four years at Monmouth where her father was posted at that
time. In about 1933 he was transferred to Malta and the family followed. Jean began her education in
Malta privately along with other young children of the officers in the garrison. In late 1938 or early
1939 her father was recalled to work in the War Office in London and they settled in Canterbury
where Jean started school.

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On the outbreak of war her father was sent to France with the BEF and was killed on the Franco
Belgian border during the retreat to Dunkirk. Due to all the confusion it took a long time for her
father's death to be confirmed which caused much heartache for Jean and her mother. With the blitz
and the Battle of Britain starting in late 1940 Canterbury became unsafe and Jean's mother moved to
Malvern where, after some retraining she joined a General Practice. Jean was sent as a boarder to
Godolphin School in Salisbury where she stayed until the end of 1946. She left having qualified for
Cambridge and having won an entrance scholarship to Newham College. She spent several months in
1947 living near Paris with a French family and attending lectures for foreign students in the
Sorbonne. While in Paris she once encountered some American tourists who couldn't understand why
no one else could direct them to "Lez Champps Elaizees".

From October 1947 until June 1950 she read English at Cambridge and then took a one year teacher
training course. She had been accepted by CMS as a missionary teacher but she had to complete her
qualification with a 2-year stint teaching in England. This she did teaching English at Talbot Heath
School near Bournemouth. She then went for missionary training to the CMS College for about 2
years and then embarked to India to be lecturer in English at the Sarah Tucker Women's College in
Palayamcottai in South India. Before taking up her post she had a course in the local language (Tamil)
in Bangalore. Unfortunately I have yet to confirm precisely when she arrived in India but it was
approximately 1958. Her mother joined her there shortly afterwards as a medical missionary.

So far as I can tell she was a dearly loved and valued member of staff at Sarah Tucker. She became
reasonably fluent in Tamil and, perhaps thanks to her mother's medical outreach, active in more than
just the college itself. In about 1964 she and her mother had a long furlough back in the UK and her
mother decided to remain there.

In 1963 the SPG sent a certain John Turner as chaplain for St John's College, a male college also in
Palayamcottai. The two got to know each other since they were part of a group of about half a dozen
British missionaries working in the vicinity. In December 1966 my father proposed to her and was
accepted. This caused a certain amount of shock amongst various Indian bishops and the like who
seemed certain that all sorts of impropriety would occur or had occurred or something. In April 1967
they returned to England on ship via Italy and were married in the Priory Church, Malvern in June.
They decided not to go back to India because John's mother was, by that time, over 80. Instead my
father became Vicar of St George's Becontree, Dagenham.

(picture)
Mrs. and Dr. Rev. Turner with their baby son Francis

I showed up while they were there. My father became rector of Weeley in 1971, which was a lot
closer to Frinton where his mother lived. The family remained there until January 1979. In both
parishes, Jean threw herself into the life of "Mrs Vicar/Rector" although it did not turn out to be
precisely what she anticipated. However she enthusiastically supported institutions such as the

39
Mother's Union ran or participated in Sunday schools, choirs, flower rotas and even occasionally
stepped in as emergency organist.

In the autumn 1976 both Jean's and John's mothers died, Jean's rather unexpectedly. The family was
then free to move but it was only in January 1979 my father took up a position at St Deiniol's Library,
Hawarden where he became sub-warden. He was primarily involved in the theological side, training
the ordinands who were sent there. Jean voluntarily assisted in some actual library work several
mornings a week. Jean was not of course a trained librarian; however given the idiosyncratic
cataloguing scheme which the library used this was probably no great loss.

In summer of 1986 my parents decided to retire. They returned to Frinton and occupied John's
mother’s house which he had inherited and where they now lived. Retirement did not noticeably
include a reduction in the scope of Jean's activities although she found the time to make more of a
commitment to God than she had before. Jean had a school friend who was a sister of the Community
of St Mary the Virgin, Wantage and they kept in touch. In the late 1980s Jean decided to apply for
membership as an oblate of CSMV and made oblation in June 1991. She continued as an oblate until
her death.

(picture)
Dr. Stella Macdonald, Missionary doctor, Sarah Tucker College, with her daughter
Mrs. Jean Turner, son in law Dr. Rev. Turner and grandson Francis.

In the last 22 years she filled up time with many church and other charitable activities. She was for
example constantly in demand as an MU speaker and regularly raised money for Christian Aid and
other charities. One of the things that various people have mentioned in their sympathy cards and
notes was that they valued her reliability. Reading between the lines I take this to be the fact that she
delivered what she promised when it was due.

Beyond that Jean and John travelled. To the Soviet Union, as it was the first time or two, and then to
Russia as it became, to the holy land., to visit me in Japan and California. Mostly they travelled
together but Jean returned to Sarah Tucker College for the centenary celebrations on her own and
also, separately, went to Kerala. They also visited Italy, Greece and Turkey more than once and were
quite interested to go elsewhere. Many of their trips were partially religiously inspired but they also
took a lively interest in the tourism opportunities.

One of their peculiarities is that they liked to use public transport, even when this seemed less than
completely sensible. When they went to the Holy Land they used Tel Aviv central bus station which
is not something the average aged tourist visits and thereby caused the nice security people in the
airport to wonder just what they were doing.

40
Gradually Jean became frailer, needing to perform various exercises in order to stay reasonably fit.
Three years ago she had an accident with her bicycle - she didn't fall off it, but she managed to get it
to fall on her while she was opening the gate - that caused her to fracture her hip. She had a hip
replacement and, although she recovered enough to get back on the bike, she always seemed weaker
afterwards. Mind you compared to many of her contemporaries she was remarkably healthy. Thus her
death on 20th December was much unexpected. She was carried away in her bed after about a week of
gradually declining health. We give thanks for her life as a devout Christian and loving - and beloved
- mother and wife and we commend her into God's keeping.

Tribute to Miss Jean Macdonald/Mrs. Turner

Chennai, India.
24.1.2009

To,

Rev. Dr. Turner and family,

We, the old students of STC, former colleagues of Miss Jean, the Principal and staff of STC joined
together and paid our tributes to her. We remember her noble service in STC. The old students who
were benefited by her service thank God for her service as a missionary. We send our deep sympathy
to the family.

41
( 2 pictures)
The Principal and staff of STC, former colleagues of Miss Jean and the old students are paying tribute
to her on 24.1.2009, Chennai, India.

42