 | The text below this notice was generated by a computer, it still needs to be checked for errors and corrected. If you would like to help, view the original document by clicking the PDF scans along the right side of the page. Click the edit button at the top of this page (notepad and pencil icon) or press Alt+Shift+E to begin making changes. When you are done press "Save changes" at the bottom of the page. |
AUDREY CAMERON
CA.1923—1994
udrey Cameron was born in Golders
Green, London. Her father, Jules, was ofWhite Russian [eastern Belarusian] descent, a musical director and violinist. Her mother, Grace, a pianist, was ofPolish aristocracy. Both parents were Jewish, although neither was Orthodox, and her grandfather had been a rabbi.
The family moved a great deal as both parents were musicians touring the country. The two greatest loves of their lives were their two daughters and music. In time Audrey turned to the dramatic arts, becoming a talented and successful actress. She toured with a repertory theater, appearing in many plays including Peg O’My Heart andA Streetcar Named Desire, having a leading role in the latter. It was while she was in repertory theatre in Halifax, Yorkshire, appearing in Deep are the Roots, that she met her husband—to—be, Earl Cameron, 3 Bermudian who was starring in that play. They married in 1955, and in 1956 their first
child, Jane, was born. The births of Simon, Helen, Serena, and Philippa followed over the course of the next ten years.
In 1963, having met a Bahá’í visiting from Bermuda who had arrived in London to attend the World Congress, Audrey and Earl declared their faith in Baha’u’llah, and from that moment they devoted themselves to its promotion. Audrey taught Bahá’í children’s classes for many years at the Bahá’í Centre in London. In 1965 she served as secretary of the Local Spiritual Assembly of Kensington and Chelsea.
In 1968 the Camerons pioneered on the homefront to Ealing, where Audrey served as secretary of the Local Assembly for eight years. She also served as secretary of the Personal Consultative Committee during that time. Regular firesides were held at the Cameron home on Friday evenings attended by large numbers of Bahá’ís and non—Bahá’í’s alike, and there were many declarations enabling the Ealing Borough community to grow and strengthen.
In 1976 the family moved again to Welwyn—I—Iatfield on the outskirts of
Audrey Cameron
[Page 117]
IN MEMORIAM 1992—1997 117
London where another community was strengthened; there had been only three Bahá’ís in the area. The Cameron family remained in Welwyn—Hatfield for another three years, hosting regular firesides and meeting Bahá’ís visiting from all corners of the world. Here they met believers from the Solomon Islands.
Assured of the importance ofpioneering to the islands of the Pacific, the Cameron family was on the move again, greatly encouraged by Counsellor Suhayl ‘Ala’l'. Earl visited the Solomon Islands in 1979 and explored the possibilities of earning a livelihood there. They purchased an ice cream business, made possible through the sale oftheir house in England, and in 1980 Audrey was once again secretary of a Local Spiritual Assembly—this time in Honiara, the capital of the Solomon Islands.
She and Earl continued tirelessly to teach the Faith, traveling together in a pickup truck to the outlying villages, often under very difficult Circumstances, yet with unflagging good humor, the spirit of sacrifice, and a love of Baha’u’llah. Audrey continued to help those needing her assistance, and when she heard that a fellow Bahá’í required an architect to work in his office, she remembered another friend in the UK community who was an architect. She wrote to him. Not only did he pioneer to the Solomon Islands, but he has remained there until the time of this writing.
In 1989 she regretfully left the Solomon Islands to be with her daughter Philippa who was in the last years ofher education at drama school in London. She returned to Ealing, 3 place where she had acquired many fond memories, and there she settled happily into community life.
Two years later she discovered that she had cancer that eventually confined her to bed. Nevertheless her strong resolve and determination remained undiminished.
Her radiance and loving spirit continued to shine despite the pain. She was finally forced to hospitalization and subsequently passed away peacefully on January 27, 1994. A memorial service was held for Audrey in her beloved Ealing, attended by numerous friends and relatives. The following message, dated February 1, 1994, was received from the Universal House of Justice:
Saddened news passing dearly loved maidservant Baha’u’llah, Audrey Cameron. With great devotion and a loving and selfless spirit she served the Cause in Britain and in the Solomon Islands where she pioneered along with her family. Assure prayers Holy Shrines progress her soul. Convey loving sympathy beloved husband and family.
