obituaries
Joannah Stutchbury
John Rowland Minns
July 1957 - July 2021
November 1936 – June 2021
Joannah was born in Nairobi to Brian and Jennifer Stutchbury. The family had long and loyal ties to MCC, which Jo steadfastly maintained and was tremendously proud of. Her grandfather Hugh was the first Secretary of MCC and the first wedding to be held at Muthaiga was a Stutchbury marriage. Jo kept fond memories of Sunday afternoons at the pool with her children, reading a latest best seller from the library, eagerly waiting for afternoon tea, as well as a sneaky jelly doughnut.
I Shall Protect the Forest For Joannah Have you ever really looked at trees? Have you seen their perfect beauty? If you have, you know that their protection Is a stern and sacred duty. Protection of that spreading grandeur, Through many summers grown, Safeguarding these temples green Where the song of bird is known. When next you see the wide flung branches Of the grateful pine, Think to yourself, “A Secret Service Is part and parcel of mine. I resolved to protect all trees forever, And guard their heaven-sent beauty, To save the forest of our land Shall ever be my duty.” By Lenore Hetrick 26
Jo attended Mary Mount School in Molo and Loreto Convent Msongari and after finishing formal education she had a varied and colourful career, initially in film production including Sheena Queen of the Jungle, where she worked as Props Purchaser and The Last King of Scotland, as Art Director. She later set up her own Costume Rental company Total Escapade. Jo was always passionate about nature and loved to walk around the gardens of the Club and she increasingly involved herself in nature conservation. Turning her talents to gardening and permaculture, she was appointed Head of Landscaping & Gardens at Braeburn School, all the while positioning herself as a fearless campaigner for the protection and conservation of Kenya’s wildlife and beautiful natural habitats. Joannah’s strong will and determination to stand and fight for what most of us take for granted on a daily basis such as the cool shade of a few trees, the clean water we drink, or the fresh air that so many parents wish their children could breathe. Jo did not fight for the past or the present, but for our future. Joannah was a proud and loyal Member of MCC for 28 years. She is survived by her son and daughter. Dearly loved and missed.
Muthaiga Country Club December 2021 - February 2022
Rowland was born ten minutes after his twin brother Rodney, to Dick and Audrey Minns, who farmed south of Nanyuki. This was where the twins spent their formative years and where Rowland developed his great love of nature and horses. Rodney and Rowland were sent to school at Kenton College in Nairobi where they became known as the “Terrible Twins” as they were always fighting (Rowland later represented his University as a Lightweight boxer.) The boys then went to Michaelhouse in SA, and Rowland graduated from Rhodes University in Psychology. During his early career, Rowland took on a number of jobs, working for Caltex Petroleum in Trans-Nzoia, Kenya and western Uganda; Abercrombie & Kent, and the Agricultural Society of Kenya, which he loved and where he was responsible for setting up and running agricultural shows throughout the country, including the annual ASK International Show in Nairobi. In 1965 Rowland married Judy Macleod but the marriage didn’t last. He later met Heather Elkins and her two young daughters, Fenella and Shelly. Rowland loved the girls and helped Heather bring them up as his own. In the 1970s Rowland went into the property business initially with Tysons, later taking over Donald Vincent Ltd, specialising in agricultural properties throughout Kenya for the next 28 years. Rowland was a fine horseman - in addition to show jumping, dressage, cross country eventing and ‘riding to hounds’, he also loved horse racing. He was a keen jump jockey and had many wins, his stories of broken bones, losses by a ‘short nose’ and ‘half-lengthing’ were legion. He held a ‘Flat Racing’ Private Trainer’s Licence for several years and one of his greatest moments was when Verre Dore, the horse he shared with Jane Harris, won the 1970 Kenya Derby as an outsider at 16/1. Rowland was also a keen golfer and snooker player and no mean hand at tennis. He loved fishing, both fly fishing and deep sea fishing, and still holds the Kenya record for a Wahoo he caught off Mtwapa, some 30 years ago. He had a wide knowledge of Kenyan flora and fauna and he was never happier than out on safari. Rowland was a great raconteur and had a marvellous, rather laconic sense of humour. He was fun-loving, amusing, gregarious and always the perfect gentleman. He is survived by Heather, Fenella and Shelly. He was a Life Member of MCC for over 59 years. www.mcc.co.ke
