A Tribute to Jocelyne Vololoniaina Razafiarivony

Sheran Harper, Worldwide President:

It is with great sadness that we receive the news of the passing of our faithful sister and friend, Jocelyne Vololoniaina Razafiarivony, Mothers' Union Provincial Community Development Coordinator of the Indian Ocean. 

Last week we were happily celebrating Jocelyne and each other with photographs, stories, and laughter in our Fiana Zone F Group; little did we know that this week we would wake up and be moved to say a painful farewell to a beautiful soul who no longer shares our space, so quietly she slipped away leaving emptiness in our hearts.

Jocelyne served Mothers’ Union and the Anglican Church with distinction. As Provincial Community Development Coordinator for the past 7 years, she was an outstanding leader and skilled facilitator, who was committed to supporting local communities, and enabling them to become strong and resilient against natural disasters, climate change, drought, and famine. 

Those who worked with her can testify to her strength and determination to make a difference in rural and remote communities, often walking long distances over rough, dry terrain to reach families in suffering and hardship. She told me that in her work there was no fear, and no task was too difficult for her because she wanted to walk in Mary Sumner’s footsteps. Her humility and willingness to make the necessary sacrifices, encouraged members to join her in building and strengthening the capacity of churches and communities in Resilience.

Like so many, I count myself blessed to have been a part of Jocelyne’s Mothers’ Union journey. I have admired her work ever since she was a Community Development Coordinator in Antananarivo Diocese, and I have shared her incredible stories of change across the world.

I was fortunate to witness her passion for imparting knowledge and skills to others when we worked closely at the Lambeth Conference Bishop Spouses event in 2022. Our paths crossed again in 2023 when she was instrumental in the preparation for my Zone F visit to Madagascar, and she was an integral part of the team that accompanied me as we moved from place to place. She will be deeply missed but I am certain that her legacy and love for Mothers’ Union will live on in our hearts and continue to inspire us to action.

On behalf of the Worldwide Board of Trustees and Zonal Trustee Marie-Pierrette, I extend sincere condolences to Jocelyne’s loving husband Michel, her children Toly and Saotra and Irina, her five grandchildren and all her loved ones. We pray that as Jesus draws near and mourns with them, they will feel his loving embrace and comforting presence in the days and months ahead. 

We also pray for Jocelyne’s Provincial and Zonal Mothers’ Union families that they will be encouraged by the memories they created with her and celebrate the solid foundation she laid throughout her Province. As Christians we trust God’s plan, so even as her light has gone out in our Mothers’ Union world, we are assured that it will continue to illuminate the hearts and minds of all those she touched in so many ways. 

As we celebrate a life well lived, a life that truly glorified God, may our faith be strengthened through this verse from St. John’s Gospel:

'Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s House there are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.' - John 14:1-3

Until we meet again dear Sister, sleep peacefully and may our gracious God lift you high on that glorious day. Amen.

Bev Jullien, CEO: 

A beautiful soul, deeply spiritual and yet practical and dedicated to serve the sometimes really desperate needs in her communities; quiet and calm, full of wisdom and also humility, guided at all times by her faith. Jocelyne, a true role model and inspiration for us all. May God guide her soul to eternal rest, and receive her in His loving embrace. May he grant solace and comfort, too, to her grieving family. The love and prayers of all at Mary Sumner House are with them at this most difficult of times.