Tributes are pouring in for former Bahrain resident Emily Darwish, who died at the age of 76, in the presence of her family and loved ones in London.
Ms Darwish (née Lambe), who was raised in Sligo, Ireland, moved to the kingdom with her husband Abdulrahman Darwish and their new-born daughter in 1979.
She worked as a primary school teacher at St Christopher’s School from 1984 to 2009, after which she returned to England with her husband to spend their retirement closer to their children and relatives.
In 2019, Emily was diagnosed with Parkinson’s and then dementia later in 2022. At the time of her death, on July 8, she had been living at Fairlight and Fallowfield Care Home in Chislehurst in suburban London.
The youngest of six children, Ms Darwish, who was the ‘quiet foundation of her family’, is survived and fondly remembered by husband Mr Darwish, children Roísín, Rana and Feross, sisters Pauline, Florence and Maura, and her five grandchildren, as well as their relatives, Bahrain family and friends.
Ms Darwish met her future husband – who she, along with the family, fondly referred to as ‘Abdul’ – in London, in 1972, when she was teaching at North Kensington and he was studying mechanical engineering at London University. They were engaged two years later and got married in Billericay, England on April 26, 1975; this year, the couple marked their golden jubilee wedding anniversary.
The young couple had a second wedding celebration in Bahrain before returning to London where they would live for the next four years. During this time, Ms Darwish retrained as a PA (personal assistant) Secretary and worked at the Thailand Tourist Office and American Tobacco Company, while her husband completed his studies.
On returning to Bahrain in 1979, her calling in education beckoned and she joined St Christopher’s School, where she was recognised as ‘a cherished colleague whose dedication, kindness and commitment left an everlasting impact on generations of students’.
The educator, who touched many young hearts, continues to be fondly remembered by her students.
A post on St Christopher’s School’s Instagram account reads: ‘St Christopher’s is saddened to learn of the passing of former teacher Emily Darwish, who was a beloved member of our community from 1984 to 2009. Her dedication, warmth, and lasting impact on generations of students and colleagues will always be remembered. Our thoughts are with her family and loved ones.’
Comments on the post included messages from her students: ‘Can we do a memorial for her? She was my year 3 teacher and a core memory of mine’ and ‘So very sorry to hear this news. A great teacher & friend. Sending love & my deepest condolences to the family. From all the Hijris family’.
Funeral arrangements for Ms Darwish will be announced at a later date.
melissa@gdnmedia.bh
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