When Angels Serve Angels
The Story of Beryl Soane (1925–2025)
Where do I even begin when talking about my mother, Beryl Soane? At 100 years of age, she embodied a lifetime of quiet faithfulness that touched everyone around her. Born in Sutton, Surrey, England, and serving in World War II, Mum’s spiritual journey took a profound turn in 1958 on a hot summer’s day in South Africa, when two missionaries from Canada knocked on her door.
She had been reading a library book that mentioned gold plates in ancient America, so when these young men spoke of golden plates and the Book of Mormon, something stirred within her. Mum prayed earnestly to know if their message was true, and the answer came immediately and powerfully. That spiritual confirmation sustained her for the next 67 years of devoted membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Despite opposition from my father’s family, Mum remained steadfast in her newfound faith. She raised her three children in the gospel and served faithfully in multiple callings, whilst living in South Africa, the UK, and eventually Australia. Her most loved callings involved teaching, whether in Relief Society, Primary, Gospel Doctrine, or many teacher development courses. To this day I still receive messages from all over the world from those whose lives she impacted for good, through her example and love of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
Twenty-eight years after her baptism, Mum’s prayers were answered when my precious father joined the Church. In 1986 they were sealed in the Johannesburg South Africa Temple—a moment of pure joy that crowned their 61-year marriage.
As a voracious writer, Mum left behind boxes of journals, notes, letters, and two books for our family—one about her conversion, the other filled with anecdotes about her life so her descendants could know who she truly was.
With her warm, outgoing personality, she maintained her friendships all over the world, through letters and phone calls for as long as she was able.
A Journey to the Temple
As age took its toll, Mum found herself confined to a wheelchair in a nursing home on Tamborine Mountain in Queensland. Unable to attend church, she received the sacrament weekly from caring ward members. Though she spoke wistfully about temple experiences, she had accepted that the Brisbane Australia Temple—over an hour away—was beyond her reach.
Then came a blessing in the form of Mikaela Hulands, a young returned missionary who worked at the nursing home. Once Mikaela learned that Beryl was a member of the Church, something stirred in her heart. Despite others’ concerns about the long journey being too exhausting for a 99-year-old, Mikaela was undeterred. “I work with Beryl every day,” she said simply. “I know what she’s capable of.”
Mikaela understood that after decades of Mum serving others, it was time for someone to serve her. She set a date, helped prepare Mum’s temple clothes, and enlisted Sister Carolynne Bax, a dear friend from Beryl’s ward who shared her vision.
On 23 March 2024, these two women, both moved by love, carefully helped my mother into their car for what would become one of the most joyful days of her final years.
The journey to the temple in Brisbane was long and carefully planned. At the temple, Mum met other patrons, including the temple president, Richard Gordon, and his wife, matron Karen Gordon, who spent time chatting with her. It was a wonderful and inspiring day, and when it ended, Mikaela and Carolynne returned a tired but happy and uplifted Beryl to her nursing home.
That single act of service from a young caregiver had gifted my mum one last, sacred return to the house of the Lord in this lifetime.
Mum was with us another year and was able to celebrate her 100th birthday before passing away.
Her Faithful Example
Now, as we reflect on her remarkable life, the impact of her faithful example continues blessing our family in ways she probably never imagined. My siblings and I agree on what a loving and powerful influence she had on us and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. We loved her strong values, her honesty, and her wonderful sense of humour.
In her final years, Mum refused self-pity despite nursing home challenges. She spoke often about the plan of salvation and her growing love for Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. She embraced the prophet’s counsel to “think celestial” (Russell M. Nelson, “Think Celestial!” Oct. 2023 general conference), which we would teasingly remind each other of.
Mum looked forward with hope to reuniting with loved ones—particularly my father, her mother, her brother, and my son Brad, who had drowned while freediving at age 24. Her faith in eternal families sustained her through every difficulty.
Throughout her 67 years of Church membership, Mum’s unswerving faithfulness created ripples extending far beyond our family. From the young returned missionary who felt inspired to serve her, to countless friends across continents who still speak of her influence, to family members who continue following the path she illuminated—Beryl Soane’s legacy reminds us that a life of faithful service never truly ends. The love we give returns to bless us, often through the hands of unexpected angels.