Jeremy…husband of Catherine, father of Ben, Simeon, Tom, Joshua & Lydia. Up until the end of April 2015, he was pastor/vicar of a group of churches on the edge of Exeter in Devon, UK. In early October 2014, aged 48, he was diagnosed with advanced cancer, a stage four malignant melanoma presenting as a tumour on his lungs. The usual life expectancy is 8-12 months. Then, in late December 2014, 23 year old Ben suffered a seizure. After prolonged medical care for what was most likely to have been a viral infection affecting his brain, Ben died in April 2015. Jeremy has up until recently seemed to have responded well to pioneering immunotherapy treatments that can extend life, but from September 2016 is now facing the fresh development of brain tumours and potentially now just months to live. On January 27th 2017 Jeremy took his last breath and went to be his Lord and Saviour. The family share their thoughts, feelings and reflections as they taJeremy…husband of Catherine, father of Ben, Simeon, Tom, Joshua & Lydia. Up until the end of April 2015, he was pastor/vicar of a group of churches on the edge of Exeter in Devon, UK. In early October 2014, aged 48, he was diagnosed with advanced cancer, a stage four malignant melanoma presenting as a tumour on his lungs. The usual life expectancy is 8-12 months. Then, in late December 2014, 23 year old Ben suffered a seizure. After prolonged medical care for what was most likely to have been a viral infection affecting his brain, Ben died in April 2015. Jeremy has up until recently seemed to have responded well to pioneering immunotherapy treatments that can extend life, but from September 2016 is now facing the fresh development of brain tumours and potentially now just months to live. On January 27th 2017 Jeremy took his last breath and went to be with his Lord and Saviour. The family share their thoughts, feelings and reflections as they take this painful and unexpected journey.

Catherine’s Tribute to Jeremy

February 12, 2017

Written by Catherine

7 Comments

Faithfulness, Peacefulness, Hopefulness, Dignity

Faithfulness, what is faithfulness?

Faithfulness is devotion, loyalty, allegiance.

All of these displayed in these last days.

Jeremy’s faithfulness to his Lord and Saviour never faltered. He trusted him every day knowing that his future lay with him. Father’s faithfulness has never changed. He has walked with me and the family everyday including these last two very difficult years.

Peacefulness, what is peacefulness?

Peacefulness is amicable, patience, composed

All of these displayed in these last days.

As a family we have truly known the peace referred to in the Bible. A peace that passes all understanding. We have had to show incredible patience in Jeremy’s last week of life. Dreadfully ill with cancer but of course a strong and young fit heart within the same body made the waiting tough for us. Desperate for him to go and meet his maker, the maker of heaven and earth, and be reunited with Ben, we have had to work hard to keep composed.

Hopefulness, what is hopefulness?

Hopefulness is cheerfulness, happiness, gladness.

All of these displayed in these last days.

Jeremy always knew where his ultimate resting place would be; so did we. It was with cheerfulness we eagerly awaited his passing from Earth to Heaven. It was with happiness we let him go knowing he was going to a place so amazing. It was with gladness we settled down on mattresses on the floor for 3 nights in his room at the Hospice. Those moments we will treasure for ever.

Dignity, what is dignity?

Dignity is distinction, character, decency.

All of these displayed in these last days.

Even though we spent the last 4 weeks of Jeremy’s life in the hospice, he still showed distinction. A young man, ravaged by this dreadful disease we call cancer, was still dignified to the end sharing his hope for his ultimate future. His strength of character as he had to deal with the tumour on his neck getting ever bigger, shone through. The Hospice staff were absolutely and totally amazing. Right to the end, when the only clothing needed was a ripped back t-shirt, they kept his dignity by washing him, turning him, keeping his meds up and treating us as the family so thoughtfully and kindly. Jeremy always said, if he became too ill then the Hospice was where he wanted to end his days.

Thank you to all of you; to our friends who have walked with us in thought and prayer. We are just so grateful. Thank you to the Hospice staff for making Jeremy’s and our lives easier in these last weeks. Thank you to my Father in heaven for giving Jeremy, me and the family a hope and a future. And one huge thank you to the wonderful man, who crossed the world to find me and walked the daily path with me for these past 29 years. I am who I am because of you. My children are a testament to the love we shared and I am going to miss you so, so much. Rest my darling in the arms of our saviour and know I am glad you are reunited with our son.

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Comments on: "Catherine’s Tribute to Jeremy" (7)

  1. Rev Simeon Damdar said:
    February 12, 2017 at 10:04 pm

    Our Dear Catherine, Thanks ever so much that you and your children can fully endorse the goodness of the Lord in the life of that great man Jeremy Clark who I attest crossed the oceans for you, loved and cared for you and the family. You complemented and complimented him in unmeasurably support and calling. Catherine, you and Jeremy meant much to me, and you both blessed my heart with your distinct submission and obedience to the Call of the Lord…..I pray that the Lord continue to give you inner peace with the assurance that He the Lord will neither Forsake nor Leave you all.. Certainly, your children are all also in great pain, May they, as time goes by, BE Comforted with what their Dad has left IN THEM.
    Our condolences and sympathies are accompanied herein, and it would be appreciated if Jeremy’s relationships in New Zealand are made known of our tearful wishes to them.
    Simeon Clark, you recently celebrated you Birthday, and I trust you have overcome the motorcycle accident. But you may have felt a greater crash in your own soul….May Father God, bring you closer to Him in the Name of our Lord and Saviour, and that includes your other brothers and Lydia. We love you all Simeon.

    Rev Simeon Damdar and Family.

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  2. parsonzone said:
    February 12, 2017 at 10:47 pm

    Your heartfelt tributes are a beautiful testimony to all that Jeremy was, and will continue to be in your lives, even though the form of that has had to change. Be assured of prayers from across the miles as we in NZ remember in our own way the friendship and inspiration Jeremy brought. I hope to attend the Memorial Service being held at St Barnabas on March 10th. Post-earthquake repairs to the building are scheduled to finish by late-February, so the sanctuary should be ready to host the service. It was at youth group at St B’s that I first met Jeremy, so it seems fitting that my first opportunity in six years to enter the church building should be to remember and farewell him. Arohanui ki te whanau katoa, Much love to all the family, Melissa Parsons

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  3. Susan Lawrence said:
    February 13, 2017 at 8:38 am

    Thank you Catherine and family for sharing this intimate journey with so many of us. We too thank God for Jeremy’s life and witness and will be going to the memorial service at St. Barnabas in March. Be assured of our continued prayers for you his immediate family and also his parents and siblings around the world. Susan and Michael Lawrence, Christchurch, NZ

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  4. Revd Brian Ardill said:
    February 14, 2017 at 6:00 pm

    Dear Catherine
    We’re so sorry to have missed the thanksgiving service for Jeremy on Saturday. We were on retreat. You’re very much in our thoughts and prayers at this time. – and that includes the whole family. Jeremy was very special and so positive. We’d like to send you a card and haven’t your address. Please send it by email.
    Yours in the Risen Lord Jesus
    Love from Brian & Bridie

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  5. Jeremy Clark said:
    February 15, 2017 at 10:21 pm

    I don’t have your email address.

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  6. Dick Tripp said:
    February 18, 2017 at 2:58 am

    We grieve because God grieves. We are made in his image. Jesus wept.

    Our Father own the land on both sides of Jordan.

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  7. Patsy Christie said:
    February 19, 2017 at 4:21 am

    Dear Catherine,

    Have been thinking of you all so much over this last little while and upholding you all in prayer. Thank you so much for sending the beautiful tributes you all gave to Jeremy – they were so special and a lovely reminder of your dear husband and beautiful man. Somehow between you all you brought out so much that was Jeremy and the very special and Godly man that he was. What a beautiful thing you all did giving your tributes and even Lydia too – how proud he would have been of you all, of you and the family he loved so much. I sometimes wonder if they are aware in some way of all of this! Real treasures for you to have with you always.

    I will always remember an evening when we, “charismatics” were having a worship Service in the Sunday School room at St. Barnabas, Fendalton, when Jeremy came in so excited. The Lord woke him one evening and gave him a new song, all about the blood of Jesus, plus the music as well. Of course we were excited too and he sat at the piano and played and sang it to us all and then we joined in. And then, of course, he went to England to that prep school and when Peter and I had our trip to England we looked him up and he was full of this beautiful girl he had met! I don’t remember meeting you at that stage but remember how much we looked forward to you both coming to New Zealand and meeting you then. It was so sad it didn’t work out for you to minister in New Zealand – many of us were devastated over that – but no doubt your parents would have been so delighted to see you back in the UK and what a ministry you have had there. I remember with such joy the beautiful day I had with you all at Rockbeare where Jeremy was organising the climbing roses to bloom for Ben’s Wedding Service. Then over to Crediton to see the home you both had bought and how excited you were. You were just so busy Catherine caring for your growing family and very much hoping for a permanent position. It was a very special day and one I remember with such joy. Afterwards it was so lovely to be able to pray for you all seeing you at Rockbeare and Crediton. Somehow I had always felt you and Jeremy would minister together in some way and I don’t know whether that ever eventuated, but such sadness at all you all have been through since. I just thank God for all the beautiful memories you have of such a special and wonderful husband Catherine and know they will become treasures for you. And to have your wonderfully supportive family with you – a family of whom you too must be very proud and especially the deep faith which came through in their very beautiful tributes.

    You are never alone dear Catherine, Jesus is with you every step of the way ahead and I pray you will know that in many very real and amazing ways. He will indeed give you the strength for each new day, and I pray His love will surround you in many many ways, especially when it all overwhelms you. God bless you dear Catherine. Cast your cares upon Him for He cares for you.

    With so much love and prayers. Patsy.

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