The Rev. Arabella Meadows-Rogers died from the effects of pancreatic cancer at 4:30 this morning (Dec. 17). Her husband, Rob, and her sister, Louisa, were by her bedside.
According to long-time friend, the Rev. Laura Jervis, Rob and Louisa both report that Meadows-Rogers’ death was peaceful and merciful and that her faith was steadfast to the end.
“Arabella was a strong witness among us,” said the Rev. J. Oscar McCloud, acting executive presbyter for the Presbytery of New York City, in a statement released this afternoon.
“(She was) someone whose faith was deep and whose commitment to Christ sincere. Her witness during the past two years was more profound than that of people with good health. Maybe that is the nature of faith, to live so when it comes our time to die one can pray.”
McCloud’s statement goes on to say that Meadows-Rogers reported severe pain last week and entered a New York hospital. Doctors discovered that her cancer had spread into the cavities of her stomach; .her decline was rapid afterward.
Upon her retirement this past August, Meadows-Rogers spoke with the Presbyterian News Service.
McCloud concludes, “I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Aside from her husband and sister, the Rev. Meadows-Rogers is survived by her children, Matt and Sarah; you can e-mail Rob.
A memorial service is being planned after the turn of the new year to be held at Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church in Manhattan.
In her e-mail, Jervis reminded us of one of Arabella Meadows-Rogers favorite statements: “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though she die, yet she will live ...”