Mazelyn Stephanie John (6 Dec 1936 - 17 Jul 2025)

In loving memory of Mazelyn John who sadly passed away on 17th July 2025

A woman whose quiet strength, unwavering kindness, and her Caribbean humour (without even realising it) left a lasting mark on her surviving 5 children, 15 grandchildren and her 14 great grandchildren.
Mazelyn was born on 6th December 1936, in Dickson Village, St. Vincent, to Jerome Balcombe and Emerie Williams, also known as Tantie and Pearl (with Pearl being her house name, a common tradition in Caribbean culture). Before marriage, Mazelyn went by the surname Hepburn, which she inherited from Tantie’s father’s family.

Mazelyn was the fourth of seven siblings. She is now reunited with her brothers Lincoln, Clarence and Jeffrey, Mazelyn leaves behind her sisters Ursula and Winifred (known as Sis), as well as her brothers Wendell, and Alwyn (known as Tyie). who are all mourning her loss and celebrating her memory.

Mazelyn was born at home in Dickson Village and lived with her grandmother until she was around three years old. She attended Dickson Methodist School before moving on to George Town School at about 11 or 12. Along with Mazelyn, her parents, brothers, and sisters all worked the land.

Later, Mazelyn moved to England, where she married Wilfred Eustace John, and together they had five children: Rose, Janette, Sandra, Joel, and Andy.

Mazelyn worked at SKF for several years, then moved on to Vauxhall in Dunstable as a production worker, and eventually worked as a catering assistant at Luton Airport, where she retired at the impressive age of 82.
One of her passions was studying the newspaper for horse racing tips, and she had a remarkable ability to pick the winning horses, often winning substantial amounts. If you ever asked her to place a bet for you, she’d refuse to take your money before the race, believing that it would bring bad luck. She’d only accept your payment afterward, once the race was won.

Mazelyn will be remembered for the immense love she gave to her family. A private person by nature, she carried no malice in her heart toward anyone. She often said, "Always forgive, but never forget," a reminder of her wisdom and strength in navigating life’s challenges.
When offering advice, her favourite phrase was:
“Who would tek you, you tek dem; who don’t tek you, you don’t tek dem.” She’d also say, “You haf to pull along.”
Mazelyn cherished spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She loved going on coach trips around the UK, although she wasn’t fond of flying or traveling by ship. One of her favourite foods was farine, which was often brought back from St. Vincent by family and friends when they went on holiday. As for TV, she enjoyed watching Songs of Praise, Tipping Point, and The Chase, often joining in with the answers as if she were part of the game.

Though we mourn Mazelyn's passing, we are also here to honour the way she lived. She is a loving mother, a loyal friend, and the kind of person who quietly helped her children without needing recognition.
Mazelyn’s life reminds us that kindness, forgiveness, consistency, and love are legacies more powerful than anything else we leave behind

Mazelyn will be missed deeply, but she will be remembered with even greater love, admiration, and gratitude for the lasting impact she had on all of our lives.