Her legacy lives on

 Good morning, dear Blogger readers. Exactly four weeks after we'd met with Mary, we were all back in Durban. This time for Mary's memorial service. 

Mary was a devout Catholic. It was very special to attend a memorial service where the priest had known and respected the deceased

This tiny lady was larger-than-life in the world of health and wellness.  She was a visionary and as far back as the early eighties, she was an activist fighting for women's rights especially in the business world. See one of the many obituaries to Mary here

Recognizing the need for a comprehensive and sustainable weight loss program, she founded Weigh-Less in 1975. Under her visionary leadership, Weigh-Less grew from a small local initiative to a global phenomenon. 

Mary also extended an opportunity to successful members who had reached their Goal Weight to generate an income by taking on roles as Group Leaders. Weigh-Less offered comprehensive support, including training, equipment, and collateral, empowering these individuals to transform not only their own lives but also the lives of others — truly a win-win situation.

With the Covid pandemic Lockdown in April 2020, Weigh-Less went virtual with incredible success. At the time Mary asked which Group Leaders would like to run Virtual Groups. I was the first to put up my hand. Today I have hundreds of Weigh-Less members across South Africa, in the neighboring states and worldwide. 

The service was life streamed. I managed to capture a screenshot of myself meeting the Weigh-Less bookkeeper who had helped me with an intricate problem the week before. The young lady with vibrant red hair, is in charge of the Weigh-Less art and visuals department

Throughout her illustrious career, Mary received numerous accolades and recognition for her contributions to the health and wellness industry. Her unwavering commitment to excellence and her tireless efforts to improve the lives of others earned her the respect and admiration of her peers and members alike.

At the memorial service celebrating the amazing life of Mary Holroyd, both her daughters and oldest granddaughter delivered moving and emotional obituaries. After this, three men paid tribute to Mary reiterating just how influential this lady had been in the business and marketing world.  

Mary's impact on the health and wellness industry was so powerful, that even without her, the core values and ethics are set in stone.

While the loss of Mary is deeply felt by all who knew her, her family is determined to carry on her legacy and continue the work she started. They are committed to upholding the values and principles that she held dear, ensuring that Weigh-Less remains a beacon of hope and support for those seeking a healthier lifestyle.

REST IN PEACE, MARY