From Heather Crewe-Brown a note on the passing of Liz Hindes (Bruyns) in South Africa. 

"I have sent a contribution from Rosemary Newton, Liz's daughter who has a doctorate in plant science and works at the Millenium Seed Bank in England. If anyone would like to contact her or her Dad their addresses are rose.newton123@gmail.com and lionelbme@telkomsa.net. 

Mary Elizabeth Bruyns

Mary Elizabeth Bruyns (neé Hindes), known as Liz by her friends, was born in Ladysmith. She graduated as a medical doctor from the University of the Witwatersrand in 1966. She always described the time she spent at ‘varsity as the best years of her life. She married fellow Witsie and chemical engineer Lionel in 1969 and they spent the first 18 months of their 49 years of marriage together in Switzerland. 

On returning to South Africa in 1970, Liz worked in Thusong hospital in Lichtenburg until the birth of their daughter, Rosemary, in 1973. At the hospital they had to deal with everything: medical and surgical cases, obstetrics, gynaecology, paediatrics, orthopaedics and trauma. Liz ended up doing the anaesthetics, which she enjoyed.

When Rosemary went to school, Liz worked at the clinics in Roodepoort and Davidsonville on the West Rand. She chose to work in community medicine specifically because she wanted to help people who could not afford private health care. Liz enjoyed the variety of her work, which included, amongst other things, treating sick babies, running family planning clinics, and treating patients with tuberculosis and sexually transmitted diseases.  Later she started doing some of the district surgeon’s work for the Davidsonville pensioners who did not have the means to travel to Wilro Park. Seldom were two cases the same and she said that she learned all the time, including from her patients. She had to be resourceful and although she did a lot of work on her own she enjoyed feeling part of a wider team caring for people.

Liz had a wide variety of interests beyond her fulfilling career. Some of the things she enjoyed most were going to the theatre, listening to music, dancing, poetry, philately, cooking, sewing and knitting.  She loved reading and nature, particularly flowers, animals and birds. She had a thirst for knowledge and learning, and an exceptional memory, and this coupled with her passion for travelling and reading widely, gave her an amazing amount of knowledge on a surprisingly wide variety of subjects.

Liz cared deeply for people, and had a remarkable ability to really listen; giving the person she was talking to her complete attention. Liz was kind and compassionate, caring, considerate and very gentle. She cherished the friendships she made over the years and made every effort to keep in touch. She loved her family dearly, and described them as the most precious gift, always putting them before herself. She suffered from interstitial lung disease for some time in spite of not smoking, yet never once complained. She lived her life with love and integrity, and is deeply missed by her husband Lionel, daughter Rosemary and son-in-law John.

June 28, 2018. Heather Crewe-Brown added a personal note on the passing of Liz.

Liz Hindes (Bruyns):  In memory.

It has taken me some time to absorb the reality that Liz is no longer with us. I too have a sense of great sadness at the loss of a dear friend and colleague.

I got to know Liz well when I stayed at the Wits Sunnyside Residence from 1964-1966 (Liz was resident from 1961). Although she was a serious minded person, she had a warm personality and a lively sense of humour. I well remember the sound of her laughter in the dining hall and lounge of the residence where we shared many conversations with students from other faculties.

Liz married Lionel Bruyns, and old friend of mine, whose parents were long standing friends of my mother and father. We kept in touch after qualifying and over the years, mainly in Gauteng but also when elsewhere in the country and overseas. Liz was a dedicated doctor who successfully balanced home and family life with her profession. Liz and Lionel were close to their daughter Rosemary and proud of her career achievements. .

When Lionel developed Parkinson’s disease some years ago, Liz became his primary carer and took on additional responsibilities, both in and out of the home, capably and with fortitude. They moved into a retirement village near their home on the West Rand. Although Rosemary had settled in England after her marriage, she and her husband returned to South Africa quite often to lend support to their parents. A few years ago, Liz and Lionel were both in hospital for back surgery at the same time and Rosemary took extended leave to care for them both during convalescence.

 During the past year Liz’s health began to fail and she suffered repeated respiratory infections with deterioration in pulmonary function. Her condition presented certain diagnostic difficulty which was a source of stress to her. Again, Rosemary came out to South Africa when work permitted. Unfortunately, Liz’s health declined further, and she passed away in April this year. Since then, Lionel has had difficulty coming to terms with her loss. He has managed to stay on in their cottage at the retirement village, with the help of agency carers and supportive neighbours. This situation is sadly not uncommon in South Africa today when only child/children have emigrated, and one partner passes on leaving the other with limited immediate family support.

Liz will be missed and remembered with affection. May she rest in peace.

Heather.