Joan McGandy (Limavady

The one thing people should know about Roberta is: She was at her happiest in the garden!

She was a role model with many interests and attributes whose involvement and contribution to family and community was admirable. Married to John for 41 years, Roberta had unique, exciting experiences and insight to the life behind the scenes, particularly the literary world through hosting in their home and participation and attendance in many art-led events within society. Both Roberta and John's roles connected and complimented and inspired each other. They both brought a lot to the table. I read the poem John wrote on the 24 July 1982 for Roberta after she died45:

For Roberta in the garden. “I know when you are at your happiest, kneeling on mould, a trowel in your glove; you raise your eyes and for a moment rest; you turn a young- girl’s face, like one in love. Intent, entranced, this hour, in gardening, Surely to life’s bright process you belong. I wonder, when you pause, you do not sing, For such a moment surely has its song.”

45 Poem included in Book 43, available at Ulster Scots Collectors

John, Roberta and her aunt, Glens of Antrim, 1960. John Hewitt Society.

From reading the first line I believe he knew this to be true and that she was happiest in the garden, among a nurturing and natural world. If anyone was to know this, it was going to be John. It resonated to me as a love poem.

Roberta, throughout her diaries, made references to simple, yet detailed descriptions of nature. This struck me straight away of her awareness, appreciation and attention of/to nature. The very first thing I read in Roberta’s 1951-1970 diary was:

“1st. January. 1951. Chushendall. Monday. 1 We woke to a white world, most surprising trees were heavy with snow, but the thaw had already started. Two wee robins haunted our hedge & we left out crumbs. The little blue tit in the eves looked lost. Blackbird & thrush were busy in the woods but very silent.”46

“Tue 6th [February][…] my daffodils are full blown and they are lovely.”47 Description of a walk along Lagan valley to Edenderry the water/river, the sunset:

“Saturday 10th [February] [...] Then we walked along Lagan to Edenderry village – we crossed the river & the river was running swiftly & the water doing all sorts of acrobatics at the bridge where the backwater flows into main canal something blocking the fast flow of water threw up a spray – like a bush covered with icicles & blowing in the wind. The setting sun gave it a pinky-orange glow – I have never seen anything just like it.”48

“All our married lives I wished he would get a job elsewhere […] but he always gave me his talk on the ‘rooted man’ & I have repeated ‘Roots should be under your feet, but not around your neck.”49

Good advice?

46 Roberta Hewitt's 1951-1974 Diary (D3838/4/2/2): p.532 47 .Ibid: p.537 48 Ibid: p.538 49 Ibid: p.835

“All our married lives I wished he would get a job elsewhere […] but he always gave me his talk on the ‘rooted man’ & I have repeated ‘Roots should be under your feet, but not around your neck.'”

John and Roberta at Trafalgar Square 1949. John Hewitt Society