Mary Annie Condie, née Harvey, was born in Malawi on 24 March 1922 to Andrew Harvey and Ellen Mafuliwa. Mary Annie’s early life was marked by hardship, as she was orphaned along with her two brothers, John and Thomas, known affectionately as Tom. The three siblings were placed at Livingstonia Mission, a Presbyterian-run orphanage in Livingstonia, Malawi where the foundations of Mary Annie’s faith, discipline, resilience, and strength were formed.

Mary Annie later met and married William Harold Gibbs, known as Billy. Together they had five children: Beryl, Millicent, Miranda, Dudley, and Adeline. After Billy’s passing, Mary Annie continued to run her household and raise her children with determination, courage, and love.

Her family grew to include Hans, Rodney, Mitchell, Gillian, and Albert, along with 10 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren. She was later known to many as Mary Annie Condie. She also helped raise and care for Joseph and Clare Ascroft, both late, who held a special place in the family.

To generations of family, she was simply and lovingly known as Granny.

Throughout her long life, Granny maintained close contact with her brothers and their families as the wider Harvey and Gibbs family grew across countries, continents and generations. Though separated by distance, the bonds of family remained strong over many, many years.

Granny was known as a strict disciplinarian and a strong role model for her children. She carried herself with quiet authority, expected respect, and helped shape the values of those who came after her. Yet, as the years passed and more grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren came into her life, that strictness softened into a gentler kind of love. To the younger generations, she became a cherished matriarch, steady, watchful, loving, and deeply respected.

Many will remember Granny’s warmth, her sharpness, her presence, and the small joys she seemed always ready to share. Mischievous and curious grandchildren and great-grandchildren found joy in playing around her, and somehow Granny always seemed to have a magical supply of chocolates and sweets that appeared at just the right moment.

Perhaps one of the keys to her remarkable longevity was the love surrounding her from the many lives her light touched. Her strength carried her family through hardship. Her love connected generations across continents. Her faith, discipline, humor, and quiet generosity live on in the children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren who looked up to her.

Mary Annie’s light reached far and wide. She was a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, sister, aunt, caregiver, matriarch, and friend. Her legacy continues in the family she loved, the lives she shaped, and the many memories that will keep her close.

Mary Annie Harvey Gibbs Condie