Dame Frances Grima

She possessed the strongest of wills and never gave up. But the end also came for Frances Grima at the age of 120.

She married Carmelo, general secretary of the Sectional Committee of the Labour Party in Zejtun, at a young age and stood by his side through thick and thin raising a family of four.

She showed her mettle during the religious political confrontation of the early thirties. Members of the local club were refused absolution on going the confession. They resigned in droves and did not even dare to step inside their club.

Dame Frances came up with a solution. Her family home opened up as an office where her husband Carmelo could listen to the many grievances of the Zejtun community in those days in need of much assistance.

Dame Frances became the standard bearer of the female community in whom she instilled the basic sights of social justice.

In the meantime the local club had been denuded of its members and in September 1933 registered as a band club with Dr Paul Boffa as its honorary president, with Dame Frances as its adopted maternal patron, a role she cherished and happily acknowledged. Her social, educational and cultural beliefs were grounded in the political message of Sir Paul Boffa, whom she considered her intellectual tutor till the end.

In the fifties Dame Frances started courses for females in Zejtun in First Aid and basic health hygiene, since she was a registered qualified member of the St John’s Ambulance Brigade. Her work in favour of those most in need never ended.

In 1994 Frances was created Dame of St John’s Ambulance Brigade and awarded Gieh Iz-Zejtun in 1998.

She was blessed with a long life which she dedicated primarily to improve the life conditions of her compatriots. Her right to rest in peace has been earned ten times over.

Joe Agius Secretary Banda Zejtun