Please Let Yourself Be Known To Me - Marie Viney’s Life Story
Marie Viney’s story underscores the blessings that Jehovah’s servants receive when He makes Himself known to them. From feeling she had angelic help to find the truth to choosing a spiritual man to partner her in serving Jehovah, Marie’s account of her life is both fascinating and encouraging. It’s our privilege to share her story with you!
Marie (pronounced ‘Marry’) has been a resident in Jah-Jireh since May 2023. It’s been our privilege to have heard her story and we hope you find encouragement from it too.
Strong Spiritual Thirst
Marie was born in 1936 in Barrow-In-Furness to Mary and Victor Dempsey. Victor was a welder by trade. Marie was the third of four children. Her early memories of childhood include handstands, cartwheels, and her rosebud doll, for whom she used to knit! She also remembers being evacuated to Milnthorpe in Cumbria at 4 years old into the care of a lady aptly called Mrs. Whip, whom she describes as ‘not a very nice person’!
Marie was not brought up as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, but she always had a strong spiritual thirst. Dissatisfied with her religion, and curious to learn about the Bible, she would regularly sneak off and secretly attend other local church meetings. On one occasion, a girl at school threatened to tell the teacher that Marie had been seen at the Gospel Hall and Marie knew that she would be in hot water, so she quickly called her bluff accusing the girl of attending the Salvation Army (which turned out to be true!). Needless to say, both secrets remained intact!
Marie’s beloved grandma had been killed by a bomb in the war and that affected Marie deeply. At just 15 years old, whilst out walking through a field of beautiful flowers in Ormsgill, Barrow, Marie remembers asking within herself “What’s wrong with this world, Why the hurt, Why war?”
A Little Help From The Angels
Eventually, of course Marie did find the spiritual answers she had been looking for, but not without drama! By this time, Marie was all grown up and living in the Leeds area with her 4 children. Life was extremely hard, and she was feeling at the lowest ebb that anyone could be!
One day whilst on her knees, she prayed to God: “If You are out there, please let Yourself be known to me, but only if You are the true God”. As she rose up, she saw a small slip of white paper float past her her window, followed a few minutes later by a knock at the door from two of Jehovah’s Witnesses. She later found out that the S8 (paper document used to record not at homes) had blown out of the sisters’ hands and landed at Marie’s gate! The sisters were not sure if anyone had already called at the house, so they decided to knock and found Marie at home. This call was the turning point in Marie’s life and led to a Bible study and her baptism as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Falling in Love with a Lovely Spiritual Man
Marie’s first meeting was at the Leeds Crossgates Congregation, but she later moved to the Roundhay Congregation. One day, whilst attending the Circuit Assembly in Manchester, her life took an unexpected turn when she was introduced to a well-respected elder called Geoff Viney. A deep friendship developed, and Marie relates that at a subsequent assembly day, during one of the songs, Geoff discreetly slipped an engagement ring onto her finger! Marie was thinking to keep it quiet and have no fuss, but by the end of the day it seemed like the whole assembly had got to know and congratulations and cards were already flowing in!
Marie and Geoff Viney
The couple were married in 1980 and served together in the Seacroft Congregation. Over the years, they experienced many spiritual blessings, including the privilege of assisting others to serve Jehovah as part of his worldwide family
Finding Joy Despite Loss and Old Age
Sadly, Marie lost her beloved husband Geoff in March 2003, but Marie’s exuberance coupled with her strong faith, diligent study habits and her keen desire to give a witness have kept her going. She describes the meetings as her ‘joy’ and takes delight in preparing well beforehand. She also loves a good spiritual conversation where she can share her spiritual gems.
Not long before coming into the Jah-Jireh Home, a friend related a lovely experience which illustrates Marie’s unique way of never missing an opportunity to witness. On leaving a coffee shop, Marie found a 20 pence piece on the floor. As she handed it to the waitress, who was holding the door for them, the waitress said, “Oh you keep it, you’ll be rich!”. Marie replied, “I am already rich!”. This, of course intrigued the waitress, and led to a lovely witness being given.
Now 87, Marie expressed: “Old age and sickness bring a change of circumstances. Learning to have a spirit of give-and-take and drawing comfort in the knowledge that Jehovah is still looking after us as part of his loving family, will help us to adapt to these new circumstances”.
As a resident of Jah-Jireh since May 2023, Marie is supported to attend her local congregation meetings in person and share in the ministry. Although old age brings many difficulties, she expressed that one of the highs of getting older includes the joy of seeing her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and even great-great-grandchildren. But Marie also asked us to tell you about a very unexpected blessing she is experiencing in her current circumstances.
She relates that time and again, she is amazed by her fellow residents who, despite suffering many physical and mental illnesses, still find great joy in their worship. She attributes this to the loving care shown by Jehovah, who never abandons his worshippers. One of Marie’s favourite verses puts into words how she feels:
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life nor angels nor governments nor things now here nor things to come nor powers, nor height nor depth nor any other creation will be able to separate us from God’s love that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Marie was very happy to share her story with everyone and hopes that her experience brings encouragement to all. Here is her story in her own words:
